This initiative, titled “FAIR Forward – Artificial Intelligence for All,” is backed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union.

The project acknowledges the potential of AI to drive Kenya’s digital transformation and support progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This comes on the heels of a recent proposal by the Kenya Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Society, advocating for regulations around AI and robotics.

Their suggested bill includes licensing requirements and the establishment of a dedicated society to oversee ethical development, stakeholder collaboration, and compliance.

To kickstart the strategy development, a key stakeholder meeting was held on April 8th, 2024, at the Mercure Hotel in Nairobi. Representatives from industry, academia, government, and civil society participated in discussions aimed at identifying opportunities and challenges in Kenya’s AI landscape.

The focus was on ongoing initiatives, prioritizing areas for the National Strategy, and gathering feedback on the development process.

“This project signifies a major step for Kenya in harnessing AI for sustainable development and social inclusion,” stated GIZ Country Director Bodo Immink.

Stakeholders also delved into crucial aspects like research and development (R&D), data sets, collection methods, and who should be involved in crafting the strategy.

Research suggests AI’s potential to add a staggering $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, with Africa reaping a possible $1.2 trillion and a 5.6% GDP boost.

While Kenya actively embraces AI, some experts point to Nigeria’s lagging infrastructure and educational limitations, highlighting the vast potential for growth on the continent.