Kenya played host to Africa’s largest Artificial Intelligence (AI) conference on Wednesday, bringing together developers, business leaders, and policymakers in a forum organised by Microsoft as part of its global AI Tour.
The event highlighted Kenya’s rapid AI adoption and its growing role in the continent’s digital transformation.
Microsoft Kenya Country Manager Phyllis Migwi said the AI Tour aimed to showcase Kenya’s progress in integrating AI into various sectors.
“Kenya’s tech sector has a great story to tell when it comes to the adoption of advanced digital tools like AI and machine learning," Migwi remarked
"The AI Tour is Microsoft’s way of highlighting these successes to demonstrate AI’s impact and how organisations can deploy this technology within their own operations."
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She noted that they aim to showcase AI’s transformative and innovative potential to empower individuals and businesses in Kenya and beyond.
AI has been identified as a key driver of economic growth, with projections indicating that Africa’s economy could expand by 50 per cent of its current GDP by 2030 if the continent captures just 10 per cent of the global AI market.
According to a study by market intelligence firm IDC, every dollar invested in AI yields a return of $3.50 (approximately Sh452.20), underlining its financial impact.
To support AI adoption, Microsoft has introduced training initiatives, including a programme launched last year to train 1 million Kenyans in AI and cybersecurity.
“As AI continues to revolutionise industries, it is imperative that Kenya equips its workforce with the necessary skills to thrive in this new era. More than 4 million young people across Africa have been upskilled by Microsoft over the last five years through various skilling and employability programmes,” Migwi added.
Microsoft has also expanded digital infrastructure in Kenya through its Airband Initiative and Project Mawingu, which had connected 9.7 million people across 31 counties by the end of 2024.
The initiative has provided internet access to schools, health clinics, and businesses.
Additionally, Microsoft is working with G42 to strengthen Kenya’s cloud and AI infrastructure as part of a $1 billion (approximately Sh129.2 billion) investment in the country’s digital ecosystem.
“To drive Kenya's AI transformation, scalable, secure, and high-speed cloud and AI services are essential. Microsoft is partnering with G42 to provide this digital framework, bringing advanced AI solutions and digital infrastructure to the country,” Migwi said.
Kenyan startups and businesses have already embraced AI in areas such as healthcare, retail, and banking, demonstrating the technology’s role in enhancing efficiency and accessibility.
