Harnessing ICTs for Participatory Regionalism: The Case of Civil Society Organizations in Kenya and Uganda

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.