Foreword The global economy is being reshaped by the digital transition. Digitally delivered services now account for more than half of global services exports, while platform technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) are transforming the movement of goods, trade in services and the organization of supply chains. These shifts are redrawing the geography of trade and creating new avenues for economic participation, especially for emerging markets. At the same time they are disrupting traditional employment structures and raising urgent questions about labour rights, social protection and inclusion, as well as development. This case study, focused on Kenya’s digital economy, was undertaken in collaboration with Africa Practice as part of the Trade and Labour Programme jointly led by the Centre for Regions, Trade and Geopolitics at the World Economic Forum and the Thinking Ahead on Societal Change (TASC) Platform at the Geneva Graduate Institute, with support from Laudes Foundation. The programme generates insights and policy recommendations to ensure trade and investment contribute to better labour outcomes in the face of global digital, green and geopolitical changes. Kenya provides a compelling perspective on this transformation. With one of Africa’s most dynamic digital economies, Kenya has become a regional hub for gig work, business process outsourcing and AI-enabled service exports. Its digital labour market reflects both the promise and precarity of the global digital transition: expanded access to income- generating opportunities on one hand, and rising informality, legal ambiguity and automation risks on the other. This report draws on in-depth interviews and multistakeholder engagement to assess the current state of Kenya’s digital labour ecosystem and identify reforms that can bridge the gap between digital growth and decent work in global value chains. It underscores the importance of modernizing labour laws, promoting responsible business practices and using regional and multilateral trade frameworks to align economic competitiveness with labour protections. Kenya’s experience offers timely lessons on how to build a global digital economy that is not only fast- moving but fair, inclusive and resilient. We hope this report will spark further dialogue and action towards shaping labour standards and opportunities for workers throughout digital value chains. Trade and Labour: Pathways for Decent Work in Kenya’s Digital Economy September 2025 Maroun Kairouz Managing Director, World Economic Forum Cédric Dupont Professor, International Relations/Political Science and Co-Chair, TASC Platform, Geneva Graduate Institute Marcus Courage Chief Executive Officer, Africa Practice Trade and Labour: Pathways for Decent Work in Kenya’s Digital Economy 3

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