Kenya unveils ambitious National AI Strategy to shape digital future
Date: 2025-03-27
Kenya has taken a decisive step toward technological leadership with the official launch of its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2025-2032 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre. The landmark policy framework positions Kenya as a continental pioneer in harnessing AI for national development, with Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy William Kabogo declaring the nation's determination to be "architects rather than spectators" in the global digital revolution.
The
comprehensive strategy anchors itself on three foundational pillars: developing
robust AI digital infrastructure, establishing effective data and AI governance
frameworks, and fostering AI research, innovation, and commercialization. This
tripartite approach aligns seamlessly with Kenya's National Digital Masterplan
2022-2032 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), creating a
cohesive roadmap for digital transformation.
Cabinet
Secretary Kabogo in his address emphasized the strategy's role in maintaining
Kenya's competitive edge in the rapidly evolving global digital economy. "From
enhancing service delivery to driving economic growth, AI will be the engine of
our digital future," Kabogo stated during the launch event. He called
for collective action across government, private sector, academia, and civil
society to translate the strategy's vision into tangible outcomes.
The development
of the strategy benefited from significant international collaboration, with
technical and financial support from the European Union, Germany's Federal
Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), GIZ, Canada's
International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and the UK's Foreign,
Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The presence of multiple
ambassadors and diplomatic representatives at the launch underscored the global
interest in Kenya's digital ambitions.
Key government figures attending the event included ICT and Digital Economy Principal Secretary Eng. John Kipchumb Tanui, alongside parliamentary leaders from both houses of legislature.
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
