The silicon savannah 2.0: Kenya’s global AI leadership

Kenya has been at the forefront of the, global digital revolution, making significant strides in the uptake and use of multiple social media platforms, fintech, edutech, medtech and the country’s flagship mobile money platform M-Pesa.

This is evidenced by the Digital 2026 Mid-Year Global Update Report, which indicated that Kenya leads the world in the use of Artificial Intelligence tools, with 97.5 per cent of internet users aged 16 and above engaging with AI platforms each month.

The East African country is followed closely by the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia, with usage rates above 93 per cent, while Egypt and the Philippines also record high engagement.

This was backed by His Excellency Ambassador Philip Thigo, who noted that Kenya has been at the forefront of adopting digital technology, making it logical that the nation is well-positioned to integrate and develop Artificial Intelligence.

“We have found that Kenya’s use of AI tools like ChatGPT and OpenAI is surpassing a lot of these first-world countries. This means that as a nation, we should now be looking towards building more data centres so we can handle our own data,” he said.

Africa currently represents only about 1 per cent of the world’s AI computing capacity. Without intentional investment and strong governance, the continent risks remaining largely a consumer of technologies built elsewhere, systems designed for different environments and not always aligned with African needs and realities.

It has been reported that AI is projected to add between $ 2.9 trillion and $ 4.8 trillion to Africa’s economy by 2030, presenting an opportunity for Kenya to capitalise on the digital revolution.

Industries from agriculture and healthcare to education and finance are on the brink of major transformation, not only in Kenya, but the entire continent.

H.E. Ambassador Philip Thigo, who is Kenya’s Special Envoy for Technology, the first in Africa, stated that data is now categorised as a sovereign asset and Kenya is uniquely positioned to tap into it through increased human capital, high investor sentiment and a tight policy framework.

“For those who think AI is stealing jobs, that is not the case at all. We need to understand that AI will affect all industries. The key takeaway here is to stay up-to-date, upscaling with every new technological development because for the 75 million jobs that are expected to be lost through AI, there will be 133 million more jobs created,” he said.

From policy to law: The rise of enforceable AI

Thigo called for the ethical and responsible deployment of AI, noting that innovation must be anchored in human rights, public trust, and contextual relevance. He also highlighted the importance of AI diplomacy, particularly in advancing public diplomacy and strengthening international cooperation on peace and security.

“Early last year, Kenya created its Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy and that paves they way for creation of policies that will protect Kenyans while encouraging the advancement of AI, The strategy provides a comprehensive framework to guide Kenya in harnessing the transformative power of AI, ensuring its deployment benefits all sectors of society while adhering to ethical principles and inclusivity,” he said.

Developed through extensive consultations with government agencies, private sector stakeholders, academia, civil society, international partners and local communities, the strategy reflects a participatory approach that aligns with Kenya’s national values and development goals while embracing diverse perspectives.

Kenya is set to catalyse a new phase of AI-driven digital transformation in East Africa as AI Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya, East Africa’s largest tech show, launches in Nairobi, positioning the region to secure significant shares in a US$16.5 billion continental AI market by 2030.

Organised by inD, the global organiser of GITEX events, in partnership with the Office of the Special Envoy on Technology of the Republic of Kenya and dx⁵, Africa’s top technology driver, AI Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya takes place in Nairobi from 19–21 May 2026. The inaugural edition stands to amplify Kenya’s position as a central node in advancing sovereign, inclusive, and investment-driven AI ecosystems across East Africa, hosting regional and global technology leaders, policymakers, investors, and innovators to expedite AI infrastructure and digital economy development.

The event will unfold across two major venues, beginning with the Inclusive AI Summit at the Sarit Expo Centre (19 May), followed by the AI Everything Kenya Expo and Conference (20–21 May) at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre.

The opening-day Inclusive AI Summit will convene high-level stakeholders, including government leaders, global institutions, and industry pioneers, to define Africa’s AI blueprint. Discussions will address key priorities such as digital sovereignty, AI governance, talent development, and financing Africa’s intelligence economy. Sessions including ‘Kenya as the Heartbeat of Inclusive AI’ and ‘Digital Sovereignty for the AI Age’ will set the tone for how the continent can lead, rather than follow, in the global AI race.

Across days two and three, AI Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya will transition into a large-scale exhibition and applied AI conference, featuring sector-focused forums and interactive sessions. These include deep dives into intelligent food systems, climate AI, cybersecurity, energy and compute access, financial inclusion, and AI-driven public services.

AI Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya welcomes a strong cohort of international exhibitors and ecosystem enablers, underscoring the event’s role as a gateway for global collaboration and a catalyst for scalable innovation across East Africa’s digital economy. Participating organisations include leading technology providers, enterprise platforms, and digital infrastructure specialists such as Cisco, Fortinet, Mastercard, ASUS, Odoo, and Zoho, alongside regional and emerging market players including Mitsumi, Redington, MArt, IT Park Uzbekistan, and IX Africa Data Centre.