Kenya’s National AI Strategy 2025–2030: Vision, Pillars, and Pathways

In this article, Mr. Nelson Nkari, one of the stakeholders involved in drafting the Kenya National AI Strategy 2025–2030, offers a detailed insider’s perspective on the strategy’s vision, foundational pillars, and implementation framework. Drawing from his direct involvement in the consultation and drafting process, Mr. Nkari breaks down how Kenya plans to position itself as Africa’s leader in ethical, inclusive, and locally grounded AI innovation.

Introduction

Kenya’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy 2025 - 2030 was officially launched on Thursday, 27th March 2025, by the Cabinet Secretary in charge of the Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy (ICDE). This strategy is designed to position Kenya as a leader in AI innovation, research, and responsible application in Africa. 

The strategy recognizes the transformative potential of AI, noting how much emerging technologies are reshaping global economies. Consequently, the strategy provides a comprehensive national development framework that will guide Kenya in harnessing the power of AI as a driver of economic growth, improved public service delivery, and inclusive digital transformation, all while safeguarding rights, ethics, and national interests.

The objectives of this strategy include: “establishing a robust governance framework for AI; enhancing adoption in key sectors such as agriculture, security, healthcare, education, and public service delivery; and fostering the growth of local AI ecosystems.” Inclusivity and representation are prioritised in the strategy to ensure that underserved communities are not further marginalized.

This strategy was the result of extensive, multi-stakeholder collaboration that included public-sector agencies, private companies, academia, civil society, and local communities. Our founding partner, Mr. Nelson Nkari, was one of the stakeholders involved in the drafting of this strategy. In this article, he unpacks the foundational pillars of the strategy and the transformative opportunities it presents.

Key AI Concerns in Kenya

While AI holds tremendous promise and transformative power, the Kenya National AI Strategy 2025–2030 is clear-eyed about the challenges and risks that come with rapid technological adoption. These concerns are laid out in the strategy as follows:

1. Labour Disruptions and Economic Impact

The first concern is the potential for labour disruption. With automation likely to impact jobs in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, customer service, and logistics, where many Kenyans are currently employed, there is justifiable anxiety about job displacement. This is particularly prevalent among the youth, given the country’s median age of 19. The strategy highlights the need for proactive, upskilling, reskilling, and education programs to mitigate this risk and ensure Kenyans can transition into new AI-enabled roles.

2. Digital Divide and Inclusive Development

Equally pressing is the issue of the digital divide. Kenyans do not have equal access to the infrastructure, connectivity, or skills needed to benefit from AI. Rural (68.9% of Kenyans as of 2023, according to KIPPRA) and underserved communities risk being left behind, which could exacerbate existing social and economic inequalities. To address this concern, there needs to be deliberate investment in connectivity, digital literacy, and inclusive design to ensure equitable access to AI technologies across all demographics.

3. Data Sovereignty and Privacy

Another critical area is data sovereignty and privacy. AI systems rely on large volumes of data. Without adequate safeguards, personal and sensitive information can be misused or extracted by foreign entities, a phenomenon commonly referred to as data colonialism. The Strategy notes that there are fears of data misuse, unauthorised access, and lack of control over personal information. These concerns are especially relevant as AI becomes embedded in sectors like health, finance, and education.

4. Ethical AI, Human Rights, and the Promotion of Public Trust

There is growing awareness of how AI systems can perpetuate bias, discrimination, and exclusion, particularly if they are built on unrepresentative or flawed data. There is also unease about potential surveillance abuses and the lack of transparency in AI decision-making. The strategy emphasizes the importance of transparency, fairness, and alignment with Kenyan values and human rights to build trust in AI systems.

5. Regulatory Preparedness

The regulatory preparedness of Kenya to manage these risks associated with AI is another pressing issue. Existing legal and policy frameworks are not fully equipped to handle the complexities of AI technologies. There is a clear need for adaptive, agile regulation that can respond quickly to different use cases while still upholding ethical standards and protecting public interest.

6. Local Innovation and Competitiveness

From an innovation standpoint, Kenyans want to ensure the country is not just a consumer but also a producer of AI technologies.  To remain competitive globally, Kenya must invest in local AI development, encourage startups, and support academic research. Without this focus, there is a risk of talent loss as skilled individuals seek opportunities in more AI-mature economies.

7. Public Sector Efficiency and Service Delivery

Concerns also extend to the public sector, where AI adoption must be unbiased to ensure equitable and efficient service delivery. The government has a responsibility to deploy AI in ways that improve efficiency without introducing new forms of exclusion or bias in access to public services. Transparency, accountability, and public engagement will be critical in this process.

8. Sustainable AI Development

Finally, there is the issue of sustainability. AI systems, particularly large models and data centers, consume significant amounts of energy. The environmental footprint of AI cannot be ignored, and there are growing calls for green technology standards and climate-conscious AI practices. The Strategy urges developers and policymakers to consider long-term ecological impacts as part of responsible AI deployment.

The Vision for AI in Kenya

Inclusive, Ethical, and People-centered AI

At the core of the Kenya National AI Strategy 2025-2030 is an ambitious vision for Kenya to become the leader in AI innovation, research, and responsible adoption in Africa. This vision positions AI as a people-centered tool for empowerment and solving real-world problems equitably through inclusivity and ethical considerations. The people-centered approach that the strategy advocates for envisions an ecosystem where technologies are built for people and with them, grounded in the Kenyan context and guided by Kenya’s social values and constitutional principles.

Of particular significance is the ethical foundation of this vision. The vision is grounded on a conscious effort to embed trust, accountability, and fairness into developing and deploying AI tools. The Strategy includes strong commitments to privacy, data sovereignty, and transparency, which collectively are aimed at ensuring that AI does not compromise human rights or widen social inequalities. These values are to be operationalised through policy, governance structures, and regulatory mechanisms outlined in the strategy.

Why This Vision Matters

The Strategy recognizes the transformative potential of AI, stating, “The National Strategy on Artificial Intelligence for Kenya was written to harness the transformative potential of AI to drive the country’s socio-economic development.” Its potential to transform agriculture, healthcare, education, financial services and inclusion, and public service delivery is immense. If harnessed properly, AI can drive down costs, increase access, improve quality, and foster innovations that are targeted at the needs of underserved populations.

Equally important is Kenya’s positioning on the global stage. With its growing tech ecosystem (22.71 million internet users - 40.8% internet penetration rate), widespread mobile infrastructure (mobile penetration rate of 118% - 68 million mobile cellular connections), and youthful population (median age of 19), Kenya is well-positioned to grow in global competitiveness through AI. This can be achieved through building Kenya’s AI capabilities, data infrastructure, and talent pipelines, as this reduces dependency on foreign technologies and repositions Kenya as a producer, not just a consumer, of emerging technologies. This will enhance the country's ability to influence regional trends and standards, attract investment, and contribute meaningfully to global AI discourse from a Global South perspective.

An Insider’s Perspective on Aligning the Vision with Kenya’s Digital Economy Blueprint

Mr. Nkari’s perspective as a stakeholder in the drafting process is that the vision laid out in the Strategy intentionally and strategically aligns with Kenya’s Digital Economy Blueprint. The Strategy provides concrete pathways to operationalising AI in each of the five pillars of the Digital Economy Blueprint: digital government; digital infrastructure; digital skills and values; innovation-driven entrepreneurship; and digital business. For instance, the strategy’s focus on talent development directly complements the Blueprint’s digital skills agenda, while its emphasis on local innovation ecosystems supports the growth of tech-driven enterprises and SMEs.

From a policy design standpoint, it was important that the AI strategy not exist in isolation, but as an extension of Kenya’s long-term digital vision. AI will catalyze and accelerate outcomes across all sectors identified in the Digital Economy Blueprint. Mr. Nkari’s perspective throughout the drafting process was that this alignment should empower government actors, entrepreneurs, researchers, and civil society stakeholders to work toward a unified digital future, with AI as a shared enabler.

Three Core Pillars of the Strategy

The strategy consists of three key pillars, which are supported by four enablers. Each of these pillars is discussed below:

1. AI Digital Infrastructure

A key pillar of the strategy is the development of modern, robust, and accessible digital infrastructure to support AI growth. This includes investments in high-performance computing, reliable internet connectivity, cloud services, and data centers, particularly green, energy-efficient facilities. The goal is to ensure that AI tools can be developed and deployed at scale, even outside urban centers.

This infrastructure is not only a technical requirement but also a matter of equity. Through the expansion of access to digital tools and networks, the strategy aims to level the playing field for innovators and users across the country, more so for the 68.9% of Kenyans who live in rural areas (as of 2023, according to KIPPRA). It reflects a broader commitment to democratizing access to AI and creating the technological conditions necessary for inclusive innovation.

2. Data

AI is fundamentally dependent on data, and the strategy rightly emphasizes the need for a robust, ethical, and sustainable data ecosystem. This includes policies and mechanisms for secure data sharing, interoperability, standardization, and the use of local datasets to develop context-aware AI models. The strategy explicitly champions data sovereignty, which will ensure that Kenya’s data is governed by Kenyan laws and used in a way that benefits its people.

This pillar also prioritizes open data initiatives and the development of data trusts to manage public and private sector data responsibly. It is a significant step toward balancing innovation with privacy and creating systems of accountability in how data is collected, stored, and used.

3. AI Research, Development, and Innovation

In order to transform Kenya into a leader in AI innovation, the strategy calls for significant investments in AI research and development. This includes support for universities, research centers, and innovation hubs to create AI solutions that are tailored to local development challenges in agriculture, health, education, or justice.

Crucially, the strategy goes beyond theoretical research; it supports commercialization pathways and public-private collaborations that take innovations from lab to market. This pillar is also a call to action for local researchers and developers to move from passive consumers of global AI solutions to active creators of indigenous, scalable technologies.

Enablers

1. Talent Development

This AI strategy intends to succeed by placing people at its core. This enabler focuses on building AI literacy and technical expertise across all levels of society, from early education to postgraduate research. The strategy supports integrating AI and STEM subjects into the national curriculum.

Importantly, it emphasizes inclusive capacity building, ensuring that women, youth, and marginalized communities are not left behind. Kenya’s competitive advantage lies in its young, tech-savvy population, and this pillar seeks to unlock that potential through deliberate investments in talent.

2. Governance, Ethics, and Inclusion

These enablers address the regulatory and ethical frameworks required for trustworthy AI. The strategy proposes agile, dynamic governance structures capable of evolving with the technology. It calls for the development of sector-specific guidelines and sandboxes to test and refine policy.

It also embeds human rights, non-discrimination, and transparency as guiding principles for AI use. This includes proactive measures to mitigate algorithmic bias, ensure explainability, and protect individual freedoms. 

Implementation Framework

The Kenya National AI Strategy proposes a phased implementation framework designed to translate the strategy’s vision into action. Recognizing that execution is as important as design, the framework emphasizes governance, stakeholder engagement, resource mobilization, and measurable outcomes. 

Phased Rollout

The implementation of the strategy is structured around a phased approach, progressing from foundational work to full-scale deployment by 2030. The first phase focuses on setting up essential infrastructure and governance mechanisms, such as establishing an AI regulatory framework, data governance policies, and talent development programs. Subsequent phases will focus on scaling R&D efforts, launching pilot projects in key sectors (like agriculture, health, and education), and building capacity for continuous AI innovation.

By structuring execution in this way, the strategy acknowledges the complexity of deploying AI systems at scale. It allows time for stakeholder alignment, institutional readiness, and technology adaptation. This incremental model also supports continuous learning and course correction, which will enable Kenya to stay responsive to emerging technologies and global AI trends.

Governance and Institutional Coordination

A central feature of the implementation plan is the creation of a governance structure to coordinate efforts across ministries, sectors, and regions. The strategy proposes establishing an AI taskforce within the proposed Data Governance Office Coordination Committee and multi-sectoral steering committees to oversee implementation. These bodies will provide technical guidance, track progress, and manage inter-agency collaboration.

The Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy will play a lead role, supported by the State Department for ICT, while agencies like the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, Kenya Bureau of Standards, and research institutions will participate in sector-specific initiatives. Importantly, county governments will also be engaged through local innovation hubs, ensuring regional representation and alignment with devolved development agendas.

Stakeholder Engagement

Consistent with the strategy’s consultative drafting process, implementation will remain equally participatory. This means continued engagement with stakeholders through public forums, expert roundtables, town halls, and policy sandboxes. The aim is to ensure that implementation remains grounded in lived experiences, industry realities, and evolving needs.

The working group model used during the strategy's development will be carried forward. These thematic working groups, composed of representatives from academia, the tech industry, civil society, and government, will guide execution in areas such as ethics, education, health, infrastructure, and regulation. 

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Adaptation

To ensure that progress is measurable, the strategy introduces a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework with key performance indicators (KPIs) tied to each strategic pillar and project. These indicators will track milestones such as:

• Number of AI pilot projects deployed.
  
  

• AI literacy and workforce development benchmarks.
  
  

• Infrastructure rollout (e.g., data centers, broadband coverage).
  
  

• Adoption of ethical AI practices in public and private sectors.

The M&E framework will be dynamic and adaptive, with built-in mechanisms for annual review and strategy updates. 

Financing and Resource Mobilization

Recognizing the resource-intensive nature of AI development, the strategy outlines a multi-source financing model that includes:

• Public sector investment (e.g., budget allocations for infrastructure and R&D).
  
  

• Private sector co-financing, especially through innovation grants and venture capital.
  
  

• Development partner support, including technical assistance and funding from global institutions and bilateral donors.
  
  

• Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) for scaling infrastructure and talent development initiatives.

Specific mention is made of engaging institutions like GIZ, IDRC, the European Union, and the UK’s FCDO, all of whom contributed to the strategy’s formation, to remain strategic partners during implementation.