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SHANGHAI, China — Kenya has signed the agreement establishing the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to strengthen international collaboration on artificial intelligence and position itself as a leading AI innovation hub in Africa.
The agreement was signed in Shanghai by Information, Communications and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo on behalf of the Republic of Kenya.
Kabogo said Kenya joined the organization because it believes artificial intelligence should be a global public good that benefits all countries and communities, rather than a select few.
“We signed because we believe artificial intelligence should be a global public good, one that reaches ordinary people and not only a few countries,” Kabogo said.
He said Kenya expects the partnership to deliver practical benefits for citizens by expanding access to AI-powered services across key sectors.
According to the Cabinet Secretary, the initiative could enable farmers to receive crop advisory services in Kiswahili through their mobile phones, help healthcare facilities improve patient triage and allow young software developers to access affordable computing infrastructure and AI models.
Kabogo said Kenya brings valuable experience to the global AI agenda, citing the country’s leadership in mobile money innovation and its recently launched National AI Strategy, which aims to position Kenya as Africa’s leading hub for artificial intelligence research, development and innovation.
He also announced that he will address the “Win-Win BRICS” Forum on behalf of the Global South, where he is expected to advocate for equitable partnerships that build local capacity and support industrial development.
“Our position is simple. We want partnerships that train our people and grow our own industries, not arrangements that only sell to us,” he said.
Kabogo reaffirmed Kenya’s readiness to work with WAICO, the United Nations and other international partners to promote responsible AI development, innovation and digital transformation that delivers inclusive economic growth.