NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya has secured a major win on the global technology stage after Philip Thigo, the country’s Special Envoy on Technology, was named to Apolitical’s Government AI 100: 2026 — a prestigious list spotlighting public servants shaping how governments regulate and deploy artificial intelligence.
The annual ranking recognises 100 government leaders worldwide who are driving responsible AI adoption, strengthening public institutions and ensuring emerging technologies deliver real public value.
Thigo’s inclusion places Kenya among a small but growing group of nations influencing the future of global AI governance.
Kenya’s Growing Footprint in Global AI Policy
Thigo has played a central role in several high-level multilateral processes that are helping define how artificial intelligence is governed globally.
Notably, Kenya took a leadership role during the seventh United Nations Environment Assembly, where member states adopted a landmark resolution on the environmental sustainability of artificial intelligence.
The move marked the first global framework linking AI governance to environmental protection and planetary boundaries.
The resolution positioned Kenya as a leading voice at the intersection of technology, sustainability and global policy, an area gaining increasing attention as AI systems expand worldwide.
Influencing the Global Digital Architecture
Beyond environmental governance, Thigo has been actively involved in shaping international digital policy through platforms such as the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) +20 Review, where discussions have focused on inclusive digital transformation, capacity building and the role of emerging technologies in development.
He has also contributed to the implementation of the Global Digital Compact, including work linked to its core institutions — the Global Dialogue Mechanism on Artificial Intelligence and the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI. These bodies aim to promote inclusive, evidence-based cooperation on artificial intelligence at a global level.
Kenya Joins the World’s AI Policy Heavyweights
On the Government AI 100: 2026 list, Thigo appears alongside prominent global figures such as UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology Amandeep Singh Gill and UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence Omar Sultan Al Olama.
The list brings together senior policymakers, regulators and public sector leaders from Africa, Europe, Asia, the Americas and the Middle East, all tasked with steering national AI strategies and modernising public services.
As governments worldwide accelerate AI adoption, Kenya’s presence on this influential platform signals growing confidence in the country’s policy direction, leadership capacity and contribution to global AI standards.
Thigo’s recognition also underscores the importance of ensuring African perspectives are firmly represented as artificial intelligence reshapes economies, societies and public administration worldwide.
