Estonia hosts European and East African partners to strengthen long-term cooperation around Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)
As the next market that matters, DPI has become a cornerstone of East Africa’s regional integration and economic growth strategy. Held from 25 to 27 May, discussions in Tallinn, Estonia offered a practical lens into how robust digital foundations such as secure data exchange, digital identity and payment systems, alongside partnerships with global digital pioneers, can strengthen cross-border trade, improve public service delivery and foster a more unified regional digital market.
The Europe–East Africa DPI Forum brought together technology companies, government institutions, investors and development partners to strengthen strategic connections between the East African Community (EAC) and European private sector actors, fostering long-term digital cooperation and investment partnerships. The forum forms part of the broader EU–EAC DEEP (Digital Economy, E-Commerce, E-Payments and Public E-Services) and Deliver projects, implemented by the D4DHub, GIZ, ESTDEV and Expertise France, which are developing selected use cases to enhance cross-border digital services across the region.
Hosted by the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) and the Estonian Association of Information Technology and Telecommunications (ITL), the three-day programme offered participants with  insights into Estonia’s digital transformation journey as a pioneer in e-government and a frontrunner in DPI, highlighting secure data exchange systems such as X-Road, digital identity and cybersecurity governance models as examples that can help strengthen the EAC’s regional digital ecosystem.
The delegation also attended the Africa Business Forum held on 26 May, which featured high-level networking sessions and explored emerging digital trade opportunities between Europe and East Africa. These discussions were further advanced during the DPI-focused side event, which deep-dived into practical cooperation opportunities and partnership modalities around digital platforms and services supporting regional integration, trade and public service delivery in the EAC.
As a key outcome of the side event, ITL and EABC signed a memorandum of understanding to facilitate strategic connections between both private sectors for long-term collaboration.
Reflecting on the importance of business partnerships in advancing digital transformation, Doris Põld, CEO of the Estonian Association of Information Technology and Telecommunications, noted:
“Estonian companies have built globally recognised expertise in digital governance, interoperability, cybersecurity, and trusted digital services. Through this partnership with the East African Business Council, we want to create practical opportunities for cooperation, where companies from both regions can share knowledge, develop new partnerships, and build scalable digital solutions together. We see strong potential for long-term collaboration supporting East Africa’s rapidly growing digital transformation ambitions.”
Ahmed Farah, Executive Director of the East African Business Council, highlighted the partnership’s potential to strengthen regional innovation and business opportunities across East Africa:
“Through this partnership with ITL Estonia, EABC aims to facilitate knowledge exchange, technology transfer, investment linkages, and private sector collaboration that will accelerate digital transformation, innovation, and regional integration across East Africa. We are confident that this cooperation will create new opportunities for businesses, especially SMEs and young innovators, to participate competitively in the global digital economy.”
At its core, the mission reflected a broader ambition: linking people, markets and digital services in ways that strengthen regional integration and economic partnerships between East Africa and Europe.
Photo credit: Rasmus Pitkänen/ESTDEV