Kenya’s launch of the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy 2025 – 2030 signals a major step not just for the country, but for the region.
Spearheaded by the Ministry of ICT and the Digital Economy, the strategy outlines Kenya’s vision to harness AI for national development while positioning itself as a continental leader in ethical and inclusive innovation. This strategy is a timely and ambitious document. It not only charts a course for Kenya’s internal transformation but also sets a reference point for neighboring countries looking to build AI-readiness into their digital economy frameworks.
Below is a quick review of what this strategy does well and where it could be strengthened to deliver on its full regional promise.
What the Strategy Gets Right
- Regional-Scale Vision and Policy Alignment – The strategy recognizes AI as a cross-cutting enabler for the public sector, private enterprise and digital entrepreneurship. It links seamlessly with national development goals, such as the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) while providing a regional policy model for African countries seeking a structured approach to AI integration.
- Commitment to Ethics and Responsible Innovation – Kenya’s strategy puts ethical AI at the center, focusing on rights-based governance, local data protection, algorithmic fairness and transparency. This is crucial in ensuring technology serves people equitably across borders, especially in Africa’s socio-economically diverse environments.
- Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building – The strategy addresses the human capital challenge by proposing a pipeline of AI talent through upskilling, digital literacy and research partnerships. It positions Kenya to become a regional hub for AI research and innovation if the right institutions are empowered.
- Public-Private Collaboration as a Catalyst – Kenya’s approach encourages innovation ecosystems by promoting collaboration between government, academia and the private sector. This opens doors for cross-border partnerships that could help scale solutions across East Africa and beyond.
Where More Work Is Needed
- Implementation Roadmap & Investment Mechanisms – While the vision is compelling, there is a lack of clear timelines, specific budgetary commitments and monitoring frameworks which may limit execution. A strategy of this scale must detail how it will attract investment and mobilize resources, especially if it aims to influence regional development.
- Sector-Specific AI Blueprints Are Missing – Although the strategy identifies key focus areas (health, agriculture, finance, etc.), it doesn’t break down AI deployment by sector. This makes it harder for counties, institutions or neighboring nations to adopt tailored AI policies based on Kenya’s experience.
- Limited Guidance on Emerging Risks – Concerns around AI surveillance, misinformation and displacement are acknowledged but not deeply addressed. As Kenya becomes a model for AI leadership in Africa, it will need to set a strong precedent on managing risk and safeguarding rights.
- Regional Integration Pathways Remain Vague – Despite having the potential to drive East Africa’s digital agenda, the strategy says little about how Kenya will engage with regional blocs (e.g. EAC, COMESA) to harmonize AI standards, frameworks and innovation policies.
Kenya’s National AI Strategy is an inspiring, future-focused document. If successfully implemented, it could redefine how African countries approach innovation not just for economic growth but for sovereign technological development. For the strategy to become a blueprint for the region, it must now shift from principle to practice with a commitment to inclusive dialogue, agile governance and regional leadership.
As the Inaugural Africa Technology Leadership Conference 2025 approaches, the strategy sets a timely context for critical conversations on Africa’s role in shaping the global AI landscape, not as a passive adopter, but as an active architect of the digital future.