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Kenya has been ranked top in the 2023 Eastern Africa Youth Digital Readiness Index due to its widespread mobile money system and investments in infrastructure.

Kenya also leads the pack in Eastern Africa followed by Rwanda and Uganda, according to the 2023 Eastern Africa Youth Digital Readiness Index by Qhala, a digital transformation and innovation management company.The rankings consider digital skills, government support, and online safety.

Ethiopia and Tanzania are ranked fourth and fifth as Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Somalia occupy the sixth, seventh and eighth positions. Despite the top position also attributed to initiatives focused on digital literacy, Kenya still faces challenges of unequal access to technology in rural areas, a common issue across the region.

Financial security

The study also highlights the rise in mobile money adoption in several countries including Sudan, DRC, and South Sudan, fostering financial inclusion and boosting financial security.

Shikoh Gitau, the Founder and CEO of Qhala said that digital readiness extends beyond mere technological adoption and includes a country’s potential to evolve into a digitally driven, skills-endowed, innovation-centric, and sustainable economy. “Recognising the significance of this paradigm shift, we present the 2023 Eastern Africa Youth Digital Readiness Index, a quantitative measure designed to gauge the digital potential and performance of Eastern African countries,” she said.

The report serves as a valuable tool for policymakers, businesses, civil society, and educational institutions, providing insights into the digital landscape of Eastern African countries and offering a roadmap for strategic interventions to foster digital readiness and innovation.

According to the company, it will be released annually to monitor each country’s progress and performance. It aims to inform policy decisions, drive regional progress, empower youth, and encourage knowledge sharing and collaboration.