NAIROBI, Kenya — Principal Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy Eng. John Tanui has been recognised among 50 public-sector leaders globally for his contribution to advancing Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).
Tanui was featured in the 2026 DPI 50 List under the Foundational DPI category, which recognises leaders working on core digital systems that support public services.
The category covers areas including digital identity, digital payments and trusted data exchange.
Tanui Recognised for eCitizen Expansion
According to Apolitical, which developed the DPI 50 List in collaboration with the World Economic Forum Global Future Council on GovTech and Digital Public Infrastructure, Tanui oversaw the expansion of Kenya’s eCitizen platform to more than 22,000 government transactions and services.
The platform has become a central channel through which Kenyans access government services online.
Tanui was also recognised for his role in efforts to improve interoperability between government systems.
Focus on Government Interoperability
Apolitical highlighted Tanui’s involvement in advancing interoperability through the Government Enterprise Architecture and the Government Interoperability Framework.
These initiatives are intended to enable government systems to communicate and exchange information more effectively rather than operating as isolated platforms.
The Ministry of ICT and the Digital Economy has also contributed to Kenya’s national DPI roadmap, covering key components such as digital identity, payments and trusted data exchange.
Global Recognition for Public-Sector Leaders
The DPI 50 List brings together public-sector leaders from different countries who are working to develop digital infrastructure and improve public services.
The initiative is designed to highlight individuals involved in building the digital foundations that allow governments to deliver services more efficiently and securely.
Tanui’s recognition places Kenya’s ongoing digital-government transformation among the initiatives being highlighted internationally in the DPI sector.
Tanui’s Two Decades in Technology
Tanui brings more than 20 years of experience in the technology and telecommunications industry.
Before becoming Principal Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy, he served as chief executive officer of the Konza Technopolis Development Authority for more than seven years.
He previously spent about 15 years at Huawei, where he was involved in the development of Kenya’s telecommunications infrastructure, including the expansion of 3G and 4G networks.
His experience has spanned telecommunications infrastructure, technology development, and digital-government initiatives.
