NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya has cemented its position as a global digital powerhouse, emerging as the world’s leading country in the use of Artificial Intelligence tools, according to the Digital 2026 Mid-Year Global Update Report.
The report shows that 97.5 per cent of internet users aged 16 and above in Kenya engage with AI platforms monthly, placing the country ahead of the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia, both recording usage rates above 93 per cent. Egypt and the Philippines also feature among the top adopters.
Ambassador Philip Thigo, Kenya’s Special Envoy for Technology, said the figures reflect the country’s rapid digital transformation and readiness to scale AI innovation locally.
“We have found that Kenya’s use of AI tools like ChatGPT and OpenAI is surpassing many first-world countries. This means we must now invest in data centres to handle our own data,” he said.
Despite the strong uptake, Africa accounts for only about 1 per cent of global AI computing capacity, raising concerns over dependency on external systems. Experts warn that without deliberate investment and governance frameworks, the continent risks remaining a consumer of technologies designed elsewhere.
However, projections suggest AI could add between $2.9 trillion and $4.8 trillion to Africa’s economy by 2030, with sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, and finance expected to experience major disruption and growth.
Thigo noted that Kenya’s early AI Strategy provides a foundation for responsible development, positioning data as a sovereign asset.
“For those who think AI is stealing jobs, that is not the case. AI will transform industries and create more opportunities than it displaces,” he said, adding that millions of new jobs are expected globally despite displacement concerns.
He also called for ethical AI deployment anchored in human rights, trust, and inclusivity, while highlighting the growing importance of AI diplomacy in global cooperation.
Kenya’s digital ambitions are further expected to accelerate with the launch of AI Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya, East Africa’s largest technology exhibition, scheduled for Nairobi from 19–21 May 2026.
The event, organised by inD in partnership with the Office of the Special Envoy on Technology and dx⁵, will bring together global tech leaders, investors, and policymakers to shape Africa’s AI future.
It will open with the Inclusive AI Summit at Sarit Expo Centre before moving to the Kenyatta International Convention Centre for exhibitions and conferences focusing on sectors such as climate, finance, cybersecurity, and public services.
As global attention turns to Africa’s digital potential, Kenya is positioning itself not just as a participant, but as a regional leader in shaping the future of artificial intelligence.
