NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya and artificial intelligence company Anthropic have signed a Joint Declaration establishing a framework for cooperation on responsible AI, research, innovation and the development of practical artificial intelligence applications aligned with Kenya’s national priorities.
The agreement was signed in New York on September 22, 2026, on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Dr Abraham Korir Sing’Oei signed the declaration on behalf of the Kenyan Government, while Elizabeth Kelly, Anthropic’s Head of Beneficial Deployments, signed for the company.
Kenya’s Special Envoy on Technology Ambassador Philip Thigo and Anthropic Global Impact Lead Ambassador Courtney O’Donnell witnessed the signing.
AI Cooperation to Cover Skills, Research
The cooperation will cover AI skills and capacity building, research, responsible public-sector applications, AI safety and evaluation, as well as locally relevant AI use cases in sectors such as education and health.
The declaration provides an umbrella framework through which individual ministries, departments and government agencies can develop specific programmes and partnerships with Anthropic.
Thigo said the partnership would focus on strengthening Kenya’s local expertise while ensuring AI technologies respond to the country’s needs.
“This partnership will empower Kenya to build local AI expertise, develop responsible technologies tailored to our needs, and ensure that advances in AI strengthen our institutions and drive inclusive growth,” Thigo said.
Kenya Retains Control Over Public Data
Data protection and national laws are central to any future programmes involving government data under the framework.
The declaration states that access to, processing or use of data in future programmes will be governed by Kenyan law, including applicable data-protection, cybersecurity and public-sector requirements.
It also states that the cooperation does not affect Kenya’s authority over its public data or the obligation of government institutions to protect personal and sensitive information.
Thigo said the arrangement would allow Kenya to pursue AI opportunities while maintaining control over its data.
“By working with Anthropic, Kenya advances its vision to harness AI responsibly, promoting innovation that respects data sovereignty and addresses our unique social and development priorities,” he said.
Framework Does Not Launch Specific Projects
The declaration does not establish specific projects for immediate implementation.
Instead, it provides a framework for developing pilot programmes, institutional partnerships, research initiatives and capacity-building projects with relevant government institutions.
Individual ministries, departments, and agencies will therefore need to develop specific arrangements before particular projects can be implemented.
Focus on Local AI Capacity
The agreement recognises the need to strengthen African capacity to participate in the development, evaluation and governance of advanced AI systems.
This includes supporting local research and building technical and institutional expertise.
The framework also says AI systems deployed in Kenya should take account of the country’s languages, institutions, development priorities, and social context.
AI Applications Target Education, Health
Education and health are among the areas identified for exploring locally relevant AI applications.
Future programmes could involve government institutions working with Anthropic on practical uses of AI, subject to the applicable legal, data-protection and governance requirements.
AI safety and evaluation are also included in the cooperation framework, reflecting the government’s stated focus on responsible deployment of increasingly capable AI systems.
Government to Coordinate Cooperation
The cooperation will be coordinated under the guidance of the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary and the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, working with relevant government institutions.
