Cyberjaya, 6 December 2024: The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) has successfully concluded a landmark business mission to East Africa, targeting Kenya and Tanzania. The mission brought together five pioneering Malaysian tech companies spanning key sectors such as animation, smart agriculture, education, cybersecurity, and fintech, further cementing MDEC’s role as a global enabler of digital transformation.

With a combined population of over 120 million, East Africa represents one of the world’s most dynamic digital markets, driven by its young, tech-savvy demographic. MDEC’s mission strategically aligned with Kenya’s Digital Economy Acceleration Project (KDEAP) and Tanzania’s Digitalisation Agenda 2034, two visionary initiatives designed to drive socio-economic transformation through technology.

Some of the key milestones and achievements during this business mission include:

1. Strategic Partnerships: Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Malaysian tech companies and partners in Kenya and Tanzania.

• AI Smartual Learning and Agile Business Solution Limited: A USD 15M Deployment of AI-powered learning solutions to 25,000 schools, covering 69% of Kenya’s educational institutions, transforming access to quality education.
• Meraque Group and Webmaster Kenya Limited: A USD 1M partnership to boost agricultural efficiency in Kenya through advancements in drone technology.
• Meraque Group and Digital Mobile Africa Limited: A USD 1.5M collaboration to transform Tanzania’s agriculture with drone-powered precision farming solutions.

2. Expanding Market Opportunities: Malaysian tech companies explored substantial market opportunities valued at MYR 160 million across Kenya and Tanzania in high-growth sectors such as education, agriculture, fintech, animation, and cybersecurity.

3. Fostering Cross-Border Collaboration: The mission facilitated over 160 strategic partnerships with local businesses, government bodies, and ecosystem players, laying a foundation for long-term collaboration and innovation.

Building on this momentum, MDEC plans to deepen collaborations by facilitating reciprocal visits from Kenyan and Tanzanian leaders to Malaysia, showcasing the nation’s innovative digital solutions. Additionally, MDEC will participate in GITEX Morocco 2025, a premier platform to further promote Malaysian tech solutions across Africa. MDEC is also gearing up for a follow-up business mission to East Africa in Q3 2025 to explore untapped opportunities and solidify partnerships.

Leading the delegation, Wan Murdani Wan Mohamad, Head of Digital Industry Acceleration at MDEC, stated, "This mission underscores the power of collaboration in building a resilient digital economy. Through the Malaysia Digital (MD) national strategic initiative, we are aligning Malaysia’s expertise in digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and education technology with East Africa’s aspirations, bridging gaps and fostering a future of shared prosperity for both regions."

As Malaysia’s leading digital economy agency, MDEC continues to empower Malaysian tech companies to scale globally while contributing meaningfully to the digital transformation of emerging markets. Since 2017, its global outreach efforts have facilitated over 1,200 business-matching opportunities, connected more than 350 partners, and generated USD 2.5 billion in digital export revenue.

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Issued by:

Corporate Communications Division

Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC)