In March 2025, Kenya, through the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy launched the Kenyan National Artificial Intelligence Strategy¹, a five-year plan set to position the country (Kenya) as Africa’s leader in AI innovation. As highlighted in our previous blog piece (see here), the Strategy speaks to several themes outlining the Kenyan AI Ecosystem with specific focus areas aligned with various flagship projects towards advancing AI use in Kenya.²

What are the flagship projects provided for under the Kenya AI Strategy?

The Kenya Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2025-2030 details ambitious flagship projects designed to cement the nation’s role as Africa’s leader in AI model innovation. These projects underscore Kenya’s commitment to harnessing AI for sustainable development, economic growth, and social inclusion, ensuring the benefits reach every citizen.

The foundation of Kenya’s AI ambition rests on a robust AI Digital Infrastructure³. To achieve this, the strategy prioritises the implementation of a National Broadband Expansion Program⁴, focusing on high-speed internet and 5G networks to ensure widespread, uninterrupted connectivity across the country. Complementing this, Kenya is set to build robust edge computing capabilities to bring data processing closer to the source, supporting local AI research and deployment.⁵ A critical step involves significantly enhancing computing power by committing to build three TIA 942 (ANSI standard) AI-capable data centres within five years⁶, alongside reviewing the power supply to digital infrastructure to enhance the ratio of green energy.⁷ Looking further ahead, Kenya plans to develop domestic manufacturing facilities for AI-specific hardware, including establishing local device assembly centres and a national semiconductor manufacturing facility within five years⁸, leveraging regional trade frameworks to reduce reliance on foreign technology. Cybersecurity is paramount, leading to projects like establishing a multi-stakeholder task force within a proposed National Cybersecurity Operation Centre to address AI-specific threats, and implementing advanced AI-specific threat detection and response systems across critical sectors⁹. Finally, the strategy emphasises forging partnerships with other countries and global tech companies for knowledge transfer and infrastructure development, as well as collaborating with the private sector to ensure robust AI technology supply chains and combat AI threats from misinformation and disinformation.¹⁰

A thriving AI ecosystem is unimaginable without robust data management. Kenya’s strategy champions a responsive data governance framework, starting with the development of a national data policy and strategy informed by best practices.¹¹ A crucial legal sharing framework for all stakeholders will be created, offering incentives for data sharing.¹² The strategy also calls for establishing an AI-task force within a proposed Data Governance Office Coordination Committee, with diverse representation, and enhancing data residency requirements to ensure compliance with national data laws and prevent “data colonialism”.¹³ To ensure data quality and accessibility, flagship projects include creating comprehensive national standards and protocols for data and metadata for seamless integration, and incentivising data sharing and collaboration among all stakeholders.¹⁴ Importantly, Kenya aims to implement secure data access frameworks using encryption and authentication, while also incentivising the creation of open, high-quality AI training datasets through the design and implementation of national data quality standards and the creation of local data labs for researchers and AI model developers.

In the realm of AI Research and Innovation, Kenya is setting the stage to be a continental leader. Projects here include nurturing R&D for public sector innovation¹⁵, establishing AI research centres of excellence and innovation clusters across various regions, and engaging the young workforce to advance local innovation.¹⁶ To bridge the gap between academia and industry, the strategy seeks to establish partnerships between academia, industry, and government for AI R&D, innovation, and evaluation. A cornerstone initiative is the launch and implementation of an AI Innovators Program¹⁷, which seeks to position Kenya as a regional hub for localised AI model development and enhance science parks and innovation districts to attract tech companies. Tech hubs will be upgraded to offer mentorship and incubation, and there’s a strong focus on developing and using local data sources to build AI models tailored to local problems, especially prioritising models that solve pressing social issues and are inclusive, focusing on edge and small AI models¹⁸. To foster a vibrant market for local AI solutions, the strategy aims to promote the adoption and commercialisation of locally developed solutions by creating regional and global market access, incentivize local and regional markets to purchase homegrown AI products, and review Public Procurement Regulations to prioritize local AI.¹⁹ Lastly, creating an enabling environment for startups involves creating collaborative AI innovation hubs, offering incubation and acceleration opportunities, and developing an AI resource toolkit providing access to data centers, public data, and free cloud credits for up to 500 AI startups.²⁰

Talent Development is another critical pillar, with Kenya planning to integrate AI and data science education into school curricula at all levels through dedicated awareness programs and the roll-out of foundational skills curricula, supported by a Training of Trainers program for AI educators.²¹ To meet industry demands, the strategy aims to develop and implement common AI courses in tertiary education and ecosystem-driven specialised training programs that nurture local talent. It will also implement an AI Training of Trainers (AI TOT) program and incentivise AI talent development.²² Partnerships are key, with plans to create collaborations for AI talent development and placement, including a mentorship, apprenticeship, and career development program, and enhancing existing initiatives like the Presidential Digital Talent Program (PDTP) ²³and the Public Service Internship Program (PSIP) for AI specialisation ²⁴. According to the strategy, in order to bridge immediate skills gaps, Kenya will develop and implement a national AI talent acquisition program and review foreign policy regarding work visas to prioritise foreign AI talent acquisition.²⁵

Effective Governance is essential for responsible AI. The strategy aims to develop a harmonised national policy framework for AI and emerging technologies²⁶, including a dedicated national AI and emerging technologies policy and a national cybersecurity policy. To mitigate risks, Kenya will develop local ethical and safety standards in AI development and deployment, implement these through conformity assessments and safety audits, and potentially develop a national AI risk and safety institute.²⁷ Legislative agility is addressed by projects to review relevant legislation (e.g., employment, intellectual property, cybercrime) to reflect AI’s demands, and harmonise East Africa’s data, tax, and cybersecurity laws for secure cross-border data transfer.²⁸ A soft regulatory framework for AI will be proactively implemented, with plans to enact a comprehensive AI and Other Emerging Technologies Act as AI matures, supported by flexible regulatory environments using sandboxes.²⁹ Finally, a collaborative governance approach will be fostered through an AI and emerging tech diplomacy program, promoting regional and international cooperation on AI challenges, and enhancing public participation in AI policy making.³⁰

To fuel this ambitious agenda, the investment pillar is critical. Kenya plans to incentivise investments in AI from both local and foreign private investors by leveraging Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to advance localised AI solutions and by reviewing and updating AI policy and regulatory frameworks to create a favourable investment environment.³¹ Key initiatives include incentivising pension funds, public capital markets, and the private sector to invest in the local AI R&D ecosystem, and implementing an investor education program through PPPs to train at least 1,000 potential investors in AI solutions.³² Public resource allocation will be re-oriented to prioritise AI, notably through the creation of a national AI and emerging tech innovation fund and the establishment of AI Special Economic Zones (SEZs).³³ To attract further capital, Kenya will actively market itself as an investment destination for AI and promote success stories of at least 50 tech startups to inspire further investment.³⁴

Finally, the strategy’s commitment to Ethics, Equity, and Inclusion ensures AI serves all Kenyans responsibly. Flagship projects include establishing a mandatory ethical impact assessment process for public sector AI technologies and updating guidelines for accountable public sector AI procurement.³⁵ The strategy mandates developing sector-specific standards on ethical AI development aligned with national values and inclusive of vulnerable groups, and creating a complaints and redress mechanism for citizens to report AI-related concerns.³⁶ To promote inclusivity, the strategy will implement data labelling and classification policies that address bias and develop an ethical framework defining AI rights and principles.³⁷ Kenya will also sponsor and spearhead inclusivity in the data value chain, maintain a public repository of ethical AI use-cases, and implement a framework for inclusivity in AI, including gender mainstreaming and representation of persons with disabilities and other underrepresented groups.³⁸ Enhancing public AI literacy is crucial, with plans to launch a public awareness campaign on AI rights, misinformation, and safe development, while also educating government employees on ethical, equitable, and inclusive AI.³⁹

These flagship projects collectively represent Kenya’s unwavering commitment to building an AI-powered future that is innovative, inclusive, and sustainable. By focusing on strengthening infrastructure, leveraging data, fostering local R&D, nurturing talent, establishing robust governance, attracting investment, and embedding ethics at every stage, Kenya aims to not only address its unique challenges but also to lead Africa into the new era of artificial intelligence.

Efforts the Kenyan government is making in AI post launch of the Kenyan AI Strategy

In light of the discussion above, the Kenyan government has embarked on some initiatives to advance Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities and digital skills within the country in line with the strategy. Recently, Kenya announced the establishment of an AI skilling project designed to equip 100,000 public servants with AI skills, with the aim of enhancing efficiency, decision-making, and inclusivity across public service delivery.⁴⁰ It aims to promote AI’s significance and ensure formal endorsement at an executive level.⁴¹ This initiative aligns itself with Kenya’s goal of being a leader in AI and digital innovation in the region and more keenly speaks to the strategy’s objective of enhancing public AI literacy through educating government employees on ethical, equitable and inclusive AI.⁴² The project’s governance was formalised with the establishment of a Project Implementation Board for the Regional Centre of Competence (RCOC) on Digital and AI Skilling for Public Service, co-chaired by Eng. John Kipchumba Tanui, Principal Secretary for ICT and Digital Economy,⁴³ with plans for the AI skilling programs were being finalised by July 2025.⁴⁴

Beyond national impact, this initiative could solidify Kenya’s role as a continental hub for AI excellence, as the country plans to share its AI skilling model and resources with 37 other African nations.⁴⁵ This collaborative effort aims to bolster Africa’s collective digital capacity and facilitate public sector transformation across the continent.

Moreover, financially, the government has fully committed to the National AI Strategy (2025-2030), allocating a substantial USD 1.19 billion (Ksh.152 billion) to achieve its goals by 2030.⁴⁶ A significant portion of this budget, 50%, is specifically directed towards the development of AI infrastructure during this period.⁴⁷

Additionally, even following the launch of the Kenya AI Strategy, Konza Technopolis⁴⁸ serves as a significant demonstration of the Kenyan government’s ongoing commitment and efforts in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital transformation. Envisioned as an AI-powered smart city, its development is a direct initiative by the government to build foundational AI infrastructure and capabilities.⁴⁹ Konza currently houses Kenya’s data centre, which is crucial for supporting AI applications and meeting the demands of a growing digital economy.⁵⁰ Beyond infrastructure, the authorities at Konza Technopolis have actively pursued talent development by signing a memorandum of understanding with a cyberschool to facilitate the training of Kenyan youth in AI and cybersecurity.⁵¹ Furthermore, the African Centre for Technology Studies is planning to establish an AI centre of excellence at the Technopolis, indicating a focus on fostering local research and development in AI. These initiatives at Konza, which also include programs like Jitume for ICT upskilling⁵², align with the strategy’s goals to modernise national digital infrastructure, build a skilled AI workforce, and drive localised AI innovation. The government’s continued investment in projects like Konza underscores its political will and ambition to position Kenya as a regional leader in AI development.

Kenya’s National AI Strategy marks a decisive shift from vision to action, with flagship projects spanning infrastructure, data governance, research, talent, investment, and ethics. The early steps highlighted signal strong political and financial commitment. The challenge now lies in disciplined execution and ensuring milestones are met and open standards are implemented. Done well, Kenya will not only meet its targets but also establish a continental benchmark for inclusive AI development.

The image is from ChatGPT