Kenya is emerging as Africa’s artificial intelligence (AI) powerhouse, positioning itself at the forefront of innovation, ethical deployment, and inclusive growth. Speaking at the Global AI Summit 2025 in Kigali, Rwanda, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi emphasized Kenya’s strategic vision to harness AI for sustainable development, economic empowerment, and societal transformation.
Mudavadi outlined Kenya’s ambitious plan to become a continental leader in AI research, model innovation, and application across critical sectors. Central to this effort is the recently launched National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2025–2030), crafted by the Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy. The strategy provides a framework to guide the ethical use and commercialisation of AI technologies, ensuring benefits are felt across all levels of society.
“Our focus is to implement a strategy that provides a comprehensive framework to guide us in harnessing the transformative power of AI,” said Mudavadi. “We are building a vision anchored in inclusivity and innovation.”
Kenya’s strategic AI focus areas include healthcare, agriculture, financial services, and public administration. Notably, investments are being directed towards smart agriculture and health tech to create youth-friendly opportunities in traditionally labour-intensive sectors.
Recognising education as a critical enabler, Mudavadi highlighted Kenya’s allocation of Ksh 600 billion to education, with a focus on strengthening Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programmes to equip the youth for an AI-driven future.
Kenya is also ramping up its digital infrastructure by expanding cloud resources, data centres, and national AI research hubs. With 93% of its energy grid powered by renewables, the country is well-positioned to support energy-intensive AI computing needs.
Mudavadi called for continental collaboration, urging African governments to partner with the private sector and provide incentives to boost investment in renewable energy and AI technologies. He stressed that Africa’s AI future must be intentional and strategically developed, not left to chance.
The African Union’s adoption of a phased five-year AI development plan (2025–2030) aligns with Kenya’s efforts, reaffirming the continent’s collective ambition to be a global player in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
