Kenya has announced the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) skilling project board to provide 100,000 public sector workers with the capabilities to use the technology.
This week, the program was inaugurated at the first project implementation board meeting for the Regional Centre of Competence (RCOC) on digital and AI Skills for Public Service.
The session, co-chaired by Eng. John Kipchumba Tanui, principal secretary for ICT and Digital Economy, and Lars Tushuizen, UNDP Kenya deputy resident representative, brought together senior government leaders, development partners, and technology experts, including Microsoft, to accelerate the integration of AI into public service delivery.
The session approved the Project Board's composition to formalise governance and ensure effective oversight. Members also endorsed the Continued Implementation Plan for the Digital & AI Skills agenda, which lays the groundwork for national and regional impact.
Among the notable achievements was the implementation of a transparent, merit-based selection procedure for the first cohort of 10,000 public employees, with 66% now ready to begin training. The long-term goal is to train 100,000 public servants in AI to improve efficiency and decision-making in government.
Kenya will also share its AI skilling methodology and resources with 37 African countries, cementing its status as a continental hub for AI excellence. This alliance intends to boost Africa's collective digital capabilities, allowing public sector reform across borders.
“With these steps, Kenya is firmly positioning itself as a continental leader in AI excellence, boosting efficiency, decision-making, and inclusive governance,” said Eng. Tanui.
The RCOC project is part of Kenya's overall digital transformation strategy, which aims to equip the public service with future-ready skills.
It also comes only a few months after the country unveiled its National AI Strategy (2025-2030), a key step towards establishing the country as an African leader in AI adoption and governance.
The government has fully funded the strategy, allocating $1.19 billion (Ksh.152 billion) to implement it by 2030, with 50% of the funding going towards the building of AI infrastructure within the time frame set.
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