Kenya has been ranked sixth in the latest report on the state of digital rights and inclusion across the continent, according to a Digital Rights and Inclusion in Africa Report by Londa, considered to be the most comprehensive continental assessment within the continent.
In the latest report, which covered 29 countries across Central, East, North, South, and West Africa in 2025, the country has jumped three places, up from 9th place in 2024.
Notably, South Africa has retained its top position as Africa’s leading digital rights-respecting country for the second time in a row, followed by Ghana, Namibia, Senegal, Egypt, Zambia, Kenya, Rwanda, Malawi, and Nigeria, respectively.
In addition, the research draws on desk-based legal and policy analysis, secondary data review, key informant interviews with regulators and sector stakeholders, and media monitoring to assess trends, developments, and emerging challenges.
From the press statement, Kenya and Rwanda are the only countries featured among the top ten in East Africa. The country’s score is 37 out of 60, which is a three-point improvement on last year’s performance, placing it as moderately compliant with international digital rights standards, well below South Africa’s benchmark score of 47 out of 60.
“Kenya’s media landscape is among the most vibrant on the continent, though journalists face harassment and intimidation, and press-freedom-restricting laws remain on the books,” read the report.
In contrast, Rwanda scored 36 out of 60, retaining its 2024 score. The country performed well in infrastructure and e-government but continued to record low scores in freedom of expression and in arbitrary arrests.
In this regard, Kenya marginally outperforms Rwanda overall, more so in judicial independence and emerging technology strategy.
Importantly, the Londa 2025 report calls on the Kenyan government to halt internet throttling and disruptions during protests, repeal overbroad provisions of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Amendment Act 2024, ensure the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner has adequate enforcement resources, build a comprehensive Artificial Intelligence (AI) regulatory framework, and close the urban-rural digital inclusion gap.
It further urges the government to establish harmonized rules on cross-border data transfers, data localization, and cloud contracts to ensure that Kenyan public data and sensitive information are protected under Kenyan law.
Additionally, it calls on the government to expand affordable connectivity by prioritising infrastructure in rural, informal, and marginalised communities.
Meanwhile, Kenya and 28 other African countries were evaluated using the Score Index, a 12-point indicator that ranks countries by performance.
Key indicators include access to information, freedom of expression, privacy protections, and digital inclusion, among others, with the report highlighting areas for improvement and persistent structural challenges across the region.
Significantly, the most improved countries in the ranking are Botswana and Egypt, which moved up by more than nine places. This was in stark contrast to countries like Nigeria and Cameroon, which dropped by five and ten places, respectively.
On the other hand, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sudan all dropped in rank, placing them among the bottom five in the list.
Collectively, the report provides a comprehensive, data-driven assessment of internet freedoms, policy environments, and emerging digital rights risks across the continent. It provides an annual benchmark of progress and setbacks in digital rights protection, drawing on extensive country-level research and stakeholder engagement.
By Michael Omondi
