NAIROBI, Kenya –Kenya is doubling down on its tech-driven development agenda, and this time, it’s doing it with some heavyweight support.
President William Ruto on Monday commented on Kenya’s growing cooperation with the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, particularly in the pivotal sectors of agriculture and ICT.
“Our objective is to enhance food security and increase efficiency in government by leveraging technology,” Ruto said, underscoring his administration’s commitment to digital transformation and smarter governance.
Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, who was accompanied by a delegation from the institute, visited Nairobi as part of TBI’s ongoing mission to help governments implement forward-looking, tech-enabled policies.
Blair, remembered for modernizing the Labour Party under the “New Labour” brand, led the UK from 1997 to 2007.
Digital solutions for real-world problems
Founded in December 2016, the Tony Blair Institute (TBI) has carved out a niche in advising governments—especially in developing nations—on how to harness the power of technology to improve public services.
Whether it’s setting up digital ID systems or integrating AI into governance, TBI’s support leans into innovation as a catalyst for better policy outcomes.
In a country where food insecurity remains a stubborn challenge, the push for smarter agriculture couldn’t come at a better time.
Through its partnership with Kenya, TBI is helping lay the groundwork for a more resilient, tech-enabled farming ecosystem—one that uses data, automation, and policy to bridge the gap between smallholder farmers and food stability.
And it doesn’t stop at farming. TBI is also deeply involved in supporting climate-smart strategies such as carbon capture and accelerated climate tech, urging a rethink of outdated policies in favor of scalable, tech-driven interventions.
With global partnerships like these gaining traction, Kenya’s road to a digitally empowered future looks a lot less like a dream and a lot more like a plan. And with Tony Blair’s institute in its corner, the country is betting big on tech—not just as a tool, but as a transformation strategy.
