Harnessing ICTs for Participatory Regionalism: The Case of Civil Society Organizations in Kenya and Uganda
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58425/ajt.v4i1.422Keywords:
East African Community, Civil Society Organizations, regional integration, participatory regionalism, Information and Communication Technologies, digital governanceAbstract
Aim: The explosion of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) is a global phenomenon that affects most facets of life. Notably, both the African Union and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in Africa have prioritized ICTs in regional integration and development. This study aims to examine how Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) employ ICTs to promote participatory regionalism.
Methods: The study used a mixed-method approach that combined interviews, document analysis, and surveys to examine CSO practices in Kenya and Uganda. It also profiles two illustrative cases in which ICTs are used to promote women- and youth-led cross-border enterprises.
Results: Broadly, the study finds that ICTs provide a critical pathway for strengthening participatory regionalism in East Africa. However, several challenges, including the high cost of setting up ICT infrastructure and limited awareness of regional ICT policies, among others, limit their uptake and, therefore, minimize their impact.
Recommendation: The study recommends, inter alia, a review of regional ICT policies to reduce the cost of ICT infrastructure and, thereby, increase CSOs’ impact on participatory regionalism.
References
Acharya, A. (2003). Democratisation and the prospects for participatory regionalism in Southeast Asia. Third World Quarterly, 24(2).
Adejumobi, S., & Olukoshi, A. (2009). Introduction: Transition, continuity and change. In The African Union and new strategies for development in Africa. CODESRIA and DPMF.
Adesina, O. S. (2017). Foreign policy in an era of digital diplomacy. Cogent Social Sciences, 3(1), 1–13.
African Union. (2018). Agreement establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area.
African Union. (2020). The digital transformation strategy for Africa, 2020–2030.
Amuwo, A., Adadevoh, I. O., & Pul, H. A. S. (2009). Understanding the political dynamics of linkages between civil society, governance and regional integration in Africa. In A. Amuwo, H. A. S. Pul, & I. O. Adadevoh (Eds.), Civil society, governance and regional integration in Africa. Nairobi: Development Policy Management Forum.
Ardebili, S. A. (2025). Tweeters of resistance: Social media and mobilization in contemporary Kenya [Master’s thesis, Lund University Faculty of Social Sciences].
Aworaro, F. (2015). Regional integration and development in Africa: Between the present realities and overcoming future challenges. African Journal of Governance and Development, 4(2), 6.
Bhattacharya, K. (2010). Information dissemination through official websites: A critique. MPRA Working Paper Series: 2009/10–028. Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/213922668.pdf
Citizen Digital. (2025, September 3). Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat resigns. https://www.citizen.digital/news/deputy-inspector-general-eliud-lagat-resigns-n364717
East African Community (EAC). (1999). Treaty for the establishment of the East African Community.
East African Community (EAC). (2012). Consultative dialogue framework for the private sector, civil society and other interest groups in the EAC integration process.
East African Community (EAC). (2013). Protocol on information and communications technology networks. https://repository.eac.int/handle/11671/24378
East African Community (EAC). (2022). E-commerce strategy.
East African Community (EAC). (2024). 7th EAC Annual Secretary General’s Forum: Concept note.
East African Community (EAC). (n.d.). East African Digital Integration Project (EA-RDIP) (P176181). https://www.eac.int/infrastructure/eardip
Ebole, A. F., Shomope, A. A., & Amusu, M. (2023). The power of USSD: A solution to African financial transactions problems. European Journal of Computer Science and Information Technology, 11(1), 43–56.
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). (2023). E-commerce strategy and implementation plan, 2023–2027.
Godsäter, A. (2013). Civil society regionalization in Southern Africa: The case of trade and HIV/AIDS [Doctoral dissertation, University of Gothenburg, School of Global Studies].
Hajnal, P. I. (2004). Introduction. In P. I. Hajnal (Ed.), Civil society in the information age. Aldershot: Ashgate.
Hettne, B., & Söderbaum, F. (2000). Theorizing the rise of regionness. New Political Economy, 5(3), 457–471.
Inuka Kenya Ni Sisi! (2024). Recasting advocacy: Civic space dynamics in East Africa.
Kala, E. S. M. (2023). Challenges of technology in African countries: A case study of Zambia. Open Journal of Safety Science and Technology, 13, 202–230.
Kim, S., & Fiori, A. (2014). The potential of civil society in regional governance in East Asia. In L. Fioramonti (Ed.), Civil society and world regions: How citizens are reshaping regional governance in times of crisis. New York: Lexington Books.
Kituo Cha Katiba. (2010). Towards greater civil society participation in the East African Community: Challenges and prospects. Kituo Cha Katiba Occasional Publication No. 5.
Lee, M. (2001). SADC and the creation of a free trade area in Southern Africa. In E. Maloka & E. L. Roux (Eds.), Africa in the new millennium: Challenges and prospects. Pretoria: African Institute of South Africa.
Mathieson, C. (2016). The political economy of regional integration in Africa: The East African Community. ECDPM.
Michelson, E. S. (2006). Clicking towards development: Understanding the role of ICTs for civil society. The Journal of Technology Studies, 32(1), 53–63.
Mugenda, O. M., & Mugenda, A. G. (2013). Research methods: Quantitative and qualitative approaches. Nairobi: Text Book Centre.
Nchake, M. A., & Shuaibu, M. (2022). Investment in ICT infrastructure and inclusive growth in Africa. Scientific Action, 17(22), e01293.
Okeke, V. O. S., & Aniche, E. T. (2012). Economic regionalism and dependency in Africa: A study of the African Economic Community. Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review (Oman Chapter), 1(11).
Omosa, M., Njeru, G., Ontita, E., & Nyarwath, O. (2006). Theory and practice of governance in Kenya: Towards civic engagement. Nairobi: University of Nairobi Press.
Organisation of African Unity (OAU). (1980). Lagos Plan of Action for the Economic Development of Africa, 1980–2000.
Organisation of African Unity (OAU). (1991). Treaty establishing the African Economic Community.
Qingxiong, M. (2004). The technology acceptance model: A meta-analysis of empirical findings. Journal of Organizational and End User Computing, 16(1), 59–72.
Southern African Development Community (SADC). (2022). The SADC digital strategy and action plan (SADC-DTS).
Society for International Development (SID). (2012). The state of East Africa 2012: Deepening integration, intensifying challenges. Regional Office for Eastern Africa.
Sika, V., Sambuli, N., Orwa, A., & Salim, A. (2014). ICT and governance in East Africa: A landscape analysis in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. iHub Research.
Söderbaum, F. (2007). Regionalization and civil society: The case of Southern Africa. New Political Economy, 12(3), 319–337.
Suryodiningrat, M. (2015). Participatory regionalism: Strengthening people-to-people cooperation for an East Asia community. In R. Sukma & Y. Soeya (Eds.), Navigating change: ASEAN-Japan strategic partnership in East Asia and in global governance. Tokyo: Japan Center for International Exchange.
Rabindranath, M., & Kapil, S. (2015). Social media and the Arab Spring. Media Watch, 6(1), 124–132.
Touré, M. (2018). Integrating Africa: Prospects and promise for science diplomacy. Science and Diplomacy, 7(3).
Twinomurinzi, H. (2024). From tweets to streets: How Kenya’s Generation Z (Gen Z) is redefining political and digital activism. African Conference on Information Systems and Technology. https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/acist/2024/presentations/13
Umuhoza, R., Ndagijimana, G., & Nshimiyimana, O. (2023). Effect of ICT on public governance outcomes. American Journal of Technology, 2(1), 66–76.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (1997). Governance for sustainable human development: A UNDP policy document (Executive summary).
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Morris Odhiambo, Patrick Maluki, Peterlinus Odote
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The authors retain the copyright and grant this journal right of first publication. This license allows other people to freely share and adapt the work but must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. They may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses them or their use.
