Kenya Piracy Report Puts Cost to Economy at $712m

Kenya has released the findings of a National Steering Committee on Digital Piracy, which estimates the practice costs the economy $712 million (KES92 billion) a year and is calling for a new inter-agency enforcement framework.

Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy William Kabogo Gitau released the report on 30 July, five months after convening the country’s first National Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Digital Piracy and directing the establishment of the Committee.

The Committee, comprising government, regulators, broadcasters, rights holders, internet service providers, civil society and academia, delivered its findings within a 100-day Rapid Result Initiative mandate.

According to the report, piracy costs Kenya roughly $1.95 million (KES252 million) a day, and denies the national treasury an estimated $131.5 million (KES17 billion) a year in tax revenue.

“It reduces the earnings of musicians, filmmakers, authors, journalists, software developers and sports broadcasters. It exposes consumers to malware, fraud and identity theft, and it is increasingly linked to transnational organised crime,” Kabogo said.

He said tackling piracy decisively could create or sustain more than 50, 000 jobs in Kenya’s creative and technology sectors.

The report’s central recommendation is an Inter-Agency Digital Piracy Enforcement Framework, to be coordinated by the Ministry and bringing together the Kenya Copyright Board, the Communications Authority, the Media Council of Kenya and the Copyright Tribunal.

It gives particular attention to protecting live sporting events and premium content, and to firmer measures against persistent commercial-scale infringers.

Kabogo said the framework carries safeguards to ensure enforcement action is subject to due process, in line with constitutional protections for both intellectual property and freedom of expression.

The Ministry said it will roll out a national public awareness campaign in the coming weeks, begin formulating a National Policy on Digital Piracy through a multi-stakeholder process, and work with the Attorney-General and the Kenya Copyright Board to align the Committee’s proposed legislative amendments with the Copyright and Related Rights Bill, 2026, currently under public consultation.

“The government will continue to support creators, enforce the law against those who profit from infringement, and work with industry to make legal content more accessible and affordable,” Kabogo said.

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