Estonia has launched a global campaign to celebrate the achievement of 100 per cent Digital Government Services. It has invited Kenya’s public and private sector players to learn more about this development. Kenya and other global audiences can explore Estonia’s digital achievements through the e-Estonia Briefing Centre in Tallinn, which promotes Estonia’s innovations and fosters international business connections for local ICT companies.
As of December 2024, every service – even filing for divorce – is completed online, marking a new era in citizen-centric governance. This achievement positions Estonia as a global leader in digital governance and sets a benchmark for nations worldwide.
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“Estonia is with me, everywhere,” said Kersti Kaljulaid, former President of Estonia. “Whether signing state documents from Antarctica or voting on a bus in Luxembourg, I’ve never felt cut off as a citizen, no matter where I’ve been. Estonia has proven that the red tape so many accept as inevitable is not necessary—we’ve fixed it. We remain committed to leading the way in building an even more seamless digital future.”
Mr. Joel Karubiu, Estonia’s Export advisor in Kenya & Eastern Africa adds, ‘’In Kenya, we have made significant strides to ensure that many of the citizen services can be accessed digitally..’’
Among the 5,000 government services available online via the e-citizen portal in Kenya include registration of birth, search for company records, processing a passport, visa applications, and making payments for government services. The key to this success is premised on the interoperability of various systems that include cashless payments for the services rendered.’’
Mr. Karubiu notes several things that have helped Estonia in this journey including the state-issued digital identity for all its nationals. This electronic identity system, called e-ID, has existed for over 20 years and is a cornerstone of the country’s e-state. Citizens use the e-ID and its ecosystem for daily transactions from paying bills, voting online, signing contracts, shopping, accessing health information, and much more. Some other interesting services handled online in Estonia include the E-marriage which enables people to get married by submitting a marriage application online via the e-population register.
Digital Divorce as the Final Milestone
The final service to be digitalised was divorce, a complex and emotionally sensitive process. By bringing this service online, Estonia has demonstrated its ability to innovate even in areas requiring nuance and care. Couples can now submit applications digitally, access pre-filled forms, and finalise their divorce with minimal stress. Since its launch, 53% of divorce applications have already been filed online, reflecting the efficiency and convenience of the service.
“Digitalising divorce reflects Estonia’s commitment to making even the most complex life events simpler and more accessible. It’s not just about technology; it’s about creating services that meet people’s needs during challenging times,” said Enel Pungas, Head of the Population Facts Department at the Estonian Ministry of Interior.
The service includes a mandatory 30-day reflection period, ensuring thoughtful decision-making. It also provides tools for dividing marital property and offers guidance for families navigating custody agreements, reinforcing the state’s dedication to user-centric solutions. Beyond divorce, Estonia’s digital governance has seen significant adoption, with 85% of birth registrations and 56% of marriage applications now completed digitally.
On growing Kenya-Estonia relations, several Estonia companies have partnered with local companies to digitise educational resources while some have also launched their online businesses in Kenya. Last year, a group of Kenyan students received scholarships to study e-gaming in Estonia which is aimed at enabling Estonia companies to develop content for the Kenyan market.
