Trade and Labour Pathways for Decent Work in Kenya's Digital Economy 2025

Images: Getty Images, Pexels Disclaimer This document is published by the World Economic Forum and the Geneva Graduate Institute as a contribution to a project, insight area or interaction. The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed herein are a result of a collaborative process facilitated and endorsed by the World Economic Forum and the Geneva Graduate Institute but whose results do not necessarily represent the views of the World Economic Forum and the Geneva Graduate Institute, nor the entirety of its Members, Partners or other stakeholders. © 2025 World Economic Forum and Geneva Graduate Institute. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system.Contents Foreword 3 Executive summary 4 Introduction 5 1 Digital trade and investment flows and the regulatory landscape 7 1.1 Trade 7 1.2 Investment 8 1.3 Domestic policy landscape 9 2 Labour challenges in Kenya’s digital economy 12 2.1 Equitable access to digital jobs and skills 12 2.2 Labour rights and fair working conditions in digital jobs 13 2.3 Long-term viability in the context of Al and automation 14 3 Policy and business responses 15 3.1 Expanding access to jobs and skills 16 3.2 Promoting decent work and fair conditions in digital labour 16 3.3 Preparing for job displacement in an Al-driven future 17 4 Policy options in detail 18 4.1 Amending labour laws to better include digital economy workers 19 4.2 Decent work toolkits for businesses in the digital economy 20 4.3 Harmonizing labour standards through trade and regional frameworks 22 Conclusion 23 Annex 24 Contributors 26 Endnotes 28 Trade and Labour: Pathways for Decent Work in Kenya’s Digital Economy 2