Journalists Urged to Champion Digital Integration Agenda in Eastern Africa

East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 8^th May, 2026: Journalists from across the Eastern Africa region have been called upon to play a leading role in advancing regional digital transformation by promoting accurate, inclusive, and impactful reporting on digital integration initiatives.

The call was made during the Joint EAC-IGAD Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP) Media Training Workshop held from 7^th - 8^th May, 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya, under the theme: "Empowering Journalists as Catalysts for Digital Transformation in Eastern Africa."

The workshop brought together journalists and media practitioners from EAC and IGAD Partner/Member States, communication experts and digital integration specialists from the East African Community (EAC), and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

Delivering the keynote address, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Customs, Trade and Monetary Affairs, Ms. Annette Mutaawe Ssemuwemba, emphasised that digital transformation is central to regional integration, economic growth, innovation, and service delivery across Eastern Africa.

"Digital transformation offers real opportunities to strengthen regional integration. When our countries are digitally connected, trade becomes faster and more efficient. When digital systems work across borders, businesses can reach new markets and citizens can access services more easily," she said.

Ms. Ssemuwemba highlighted that through EARDIP, the EAC, IGAD, and the Partner/Member States are working to strengthen digital connectivity, improve cybersecurity readiness, promote harmonised digital policies, support digital trade, and unlock the potential of a Single Digital Market in Eastern Africa.

She further underscored the strategic role of the media in simplifying complex digital issues for the public, raising awareness on cybersecurity and digital safety, promoting inclusion, and building trust in digital systems.

"Journalists are catalysts for digital transformation. Your stories have the power to inform, inspire, and influence change across the region," she noted.

Speaking during the opening session, IGAD Director of Economic Cooperation and Regional Integration, Dr. Mohyeldeen Eltohami Taha emphasised the importance of collaboration between regional institutions, governments, development partners, the private sector, and the media in advancing digital transformation across Eastern Africa.

He noted that while the region is making progress in digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and digital trade, public awareness and citizen engagement remain critical to the success of these initiatives.

"The media is a critical bridge between policymakers and citizens. Journalists have the responsibility and opportunity to help communities understand how digital transformation affects their daily lives," he stated.

Dr. Taha further called for sustained engagement between journalists and regional institutions to support accurate reporting, counter misinformation, and strengthen public trust in digital systems.

Throughout the two-day workshop, participants received comprehensive briefings on the implementation of the Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP) and its contribution towards advancing a connected and inclusive digital economy in the EAC and IGAD region. The sessions provided journalists with deeper insights into regional efforts aimed at strengthening digital infrastructure, harmonising policies, improving cybersecurity, and expanding opportunities for digital trade and innovation.

Presentations on Connectivity Market Development and Integration highlighted ongoing initiatives to improve affordable broadband access, strengthen cross-border digital infrastructure, and reduce connectivity gaps, particularly in underserved and rural communities. The session on Data Governance and Data Protection focused on the importance of harmonised legal and regulatory frameworks to promote trusted data sharing, privacy protection, and secure digital transactions across borders. While discussions on Cybersecurity emphasised the growing need for regional cooperation, public awareness, and stronger institutional capacity to address increasing cyber threats, online fraud, and misinformation.

Participants were also taken through regional initiatives supporting E-Commerce and Digital Payments as key drivers of economic integration and financial inclusion. The sessions explored how digital platforms and interoperable payment systems can facilitate cross-border trade, support small businesses, and expand access to regional markets. In addition, presentations on Environmental and Social Safeguards and the Grievance Redress Mechanism underscored the importance of ensuring that EARDIP implementation remains inclusive, transparent, socially responsible, and responsive to concerns raised by communities and stakeholders.

Participants also explored the evolving role of media in promoting digital transformation and discussed practical approaches to communicating digital policy, cybersecurity, data governance, and emerging technologies in simple and relatable language.

Interactive group discussions focused on best practices in development and technology reporting, modern storytelling approaches, the use of social media and artificial intelligence in journalism, and the development of compelling EARDIP-related story ideas.

The workshop concluded with a dialogue between EAC, IGAD, and journalists on sustaining long-term collaboration and establishing structured mechanisms for information sharing, media engagement, and regional storytelling on digital integration.

Participants called for continued capacity-building initiatives for journalists, regular access to information and technical experts, strengthened collaboration between media houses and regional institutions, and the creation of regional media networks to support informed reporting on digital transformation.

The Joint EAC-IGAD Media Training Workshop forms part of broader efforts under EARDIP to build awareness, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and support the region's vision of a connected, inclusive, secure, and digitally integrated Eastern Africa.

For more information, please contact:

Aileen Mallya
Communications Expert
Eastern African Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP)
EAC Secretariat
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 754 266564
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.eac.int/eardip

About the East African Community:

The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Federal Republic of Somalia, the Republic of Burundi, the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Rwanda, the Republic of South Sudan, the Republic of Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania. The EAC aims to expand and deepen economic, political, social, and cultural integration to improve the quality of life of the people of East Africa through increased competitiveness, value-added production, trade, and investment.