Kenya calls for scalable AI infrastructure to drive Africa’s economic growth
Date: 2026-02-09
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
Kenya’s
Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, Hon.
William Kabogo Gitau, has said that the adoption of robust and scalable
artificial intelligence infrastructure tailored to Africa’s context will spur
economic growth and unlock vast opportunities for the continent and beyond.
The
Cabinet Secretary made the remarks in Nairobi during the official opening of
the Nairobi AI Forum 2026, themed “Accelerating Adoption and Impact: Building
Green Scalable AI Infrastructure with Africa’s Innovators.” He emphasized that
Africa’s long-term competitiveness in the digital economy will depend on its
ability to deploy AI systems that are sustainable, inclusive, and responsive to
local development needs.
Hon.
Kabogo noted that Kenya places high priority on leveraging AI and other digital
technologies as key drivers of national and regional digital transformation, in
line with the country’s AI Strategy 2025–2030. He highlighted government focus
areas including inclusive and sustainable AI development, digital skilling to
support public sector transformation, and the promotion of entrepreneurship
within the digital economy.
The
two-day forum brings together policymakers, innovators, financiers, and
industry leaders to examine integrated approaches to AI infrastructure
development, financing, and adoption. Discussions are centered on strengthening
cross-border collaboration and financing models that support green and
sovereign AI infrastructure, with the aim of translating Africa’s resource
advantages into new industrial and economic opportunities that promote
inclusive human development.
Co-hosted
by the governments of Kenya and Italy alongside the United Nations Development
Programme, the Nairobi AI Forum convenes participants from across Africa,
Italy, the European Union, and the G7. The event also provides a platform for
dialogue between infrastructure developers, innovators, industry players, and
governments to accelerate AI deployment across priority sectors.
The
opening session was attended by senior regional and international officials,
including Italy’s Minister of University and Research, Senator Anna Maria
Bernini; the Italian Ambassador to Kenya, Vincenzo Del Monaco; the Deputy Head
of the European Union Delegation to Kenya, Ondrej Simek; and Kenya’s Special
Envoy on Technology, Ambassador Philip Thigo, alongside representatives of
global technology firms and financial institutions.
