Kenya launches KAISA: a national alliance to shape the future of AI 🇰🇪 🤖

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Kenya’s private sector, in partnership with Microsoft, has launched the Kenya Artificial Intelligence Skilling Alliance (KAISA) — a national platform designed to boost AI skills, align public policy, and promote inclusive innovation. The goal: to position Kenya as a continental leader in ethical, job-creating artificial intelligence.

Building Kenya’s AI ecosystem 🧩

Artificial intelligence is reshaping global economies, transforming industries, education, and production. Analysts estimate AI could add over $3.6 trillion to the global economy by 2034 — and up to $1.5 trillion in Africa by 2030 if adoption accelerates.

Already ranked among the top five African nations best prepared for AI, Kenya is taking a major leap forward with KAISA. The initiative aims to end fragmented efforts across the country by creating a unified framework for training, governance, and innovation.

KAISA brings together public institutions, universities, private companies, civil society, and development partners. Together, they seek to align education with market needs and promote an ethical and inclusive approach to AI, expanding opportunities for youth, women, and marginalized communities.

Training a workforce ready for the AI era 🎓

According to Dr. Ehud Gachugu, Deputy CEO of KEPSA and global lead for the Youth and Jobs program, the launch of KAISA marks “a pivotal moment in Kenya’s journey toward a future-ready workforce.” The alliance’s mission is to coordinate, scale, and accelerate existing training efforts across both the public and private sectors.

As a strategic partner, Microsoft is leveraging its experience from prior digital skills initiatives in Kenya. Through KAISA, this partnership will expand to include new learning programs, local innovation incubation, and applied research in fields such as agriculture, healthcare, education, finance, and manufacturing.

“Technology alone isn’t enough,” says Phyllis Migwi, Country Manager at Microsoft Kenya. “Human skills will determine how far Kenya can go in the AI era.” She calls for turning Kenyans from passive users into active innovators and creators, capable of building homegrown AI solutions.

Putting humans at the center of AI 🤝

During the launch, Ambassador Phillip Thigo, Kenya’s Special Envoy for Technology, emphasized that “technology must serve humanity, not the other way around.” He called for an inclusive, sustainable, and sovereign approach to AI, grounded in local realities.

“We must make conscious choices to ensure AI works for the common good — to fight climate change, not worsen it,” he said.

For Thigo, the real challenge lies in people’s ability to learn, adapt, and take ownership of technology — not just as consumers, but as creators.

KAISA’s 24-month roadmap includes creating sector-based working groups, launching nationwide training programs, establishing an innovation hub, and building a national directory of AI projects. The alliance will also champion applied research, ethical governance, and evidence-based policymaking.

Toward an African model for inclusive and responsible AI 🌍

Social responsibility sits at the heart of the project. Caroline Njuki, Chief Technical Advisor at the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Kenya, stressed that AI must become a tool for dignity, equity, and productivity. She urged partners to make KAISA a bridge connecting innovation, ethics, and decent work.

A panel moderated by Winnie Karanu of Microsoft explored how to close the skills gap and strengthen collaboration between startups, universities, and industry. Speakers called for greater investment in applied research, data governance, and youth-led innovation — key to keeping Kenya at the forefront of Africa’s digital transformation.

Ultimately, Kenya wants to make AI a driver of inclusion, competitiveness, and technological sovereignty. With KAISA, the country is setting itself up as a continental model for responsible and sustainable AI adoption — one that creates jobs, fuels growth, and keeps humans at the heart of the digital revolution.

👉🏾 Do you believe AI can truly become a driver of jobs and inclusion in Africa? Share your thoughts in the comments.