Kenya has set its sights on becoming Africa’s leading hub for software and artificial intelligence innovation.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi made the declaration during the inaugural Software and Artificial Intelligence Summit held at Moi University’s Annex Campus in Eldoret on November 10, 2025.
Speaking at the event, Mudavadi said the summit marked a historic moment in Kenya’s digital journey.
He conveyed President William Ruto’s message of support, describing the meeting as a milestone toward making Kenya Africa’s digital powerhouse.
“Eldoret, with its legacy of excellence, resilience, and unyielding spirit, is the perfect birthplace for this summit,” Mudavadi said.
“Just as our champions shatter records on the track, we are here to position Kenya as Africa’s coding champion.” he added.
Pointing out that 60% of Africa’s population is under 25, Mudavadi challenged the Kenyan youth to grab this opportunity and be pro-active as the Government puts emphasis on skills development, industry & academia, citizen participation and policy innovation with the anchor agenda revolving around youth empowerment.
“You can talk about the whole issue of determination and resilience but without discipline and integrity all your efforts get lost. To be world class innovators you really have to work on discipline and competence for you to see the results at the end of the day.” said Mudavadi.
Mudavadi said the summit came at a pivotal time when artificial intelligence and software are reshaping the global economy.
The software market, he noted, is now worth over US$700 billion, while AI is expected to generate more than US$1.7 trillion in value in the coming year.
“These are not abstract statistics,” he said.
“They represent opportunities that Kenya and Africa must seize. We have to turn dreams into realities. In this new economy, software is power, AI is advantage, and talent is currency towards solving the real-world problems.” Remarked the Prime CS.
He said Kenya’s story has been one of bold innovation — from M-Pesa’s global fintech revolution to the government’s e-Citizen platform, which now offers more than 22,000 services. He also cited advances in digital health and e-procurement as examples of Kenya’s ability to pioneer transformative solutions.
The summit, he added, aligns with the African Union Digital Transformation Strategy, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and global AI governance frameworks. Kenya’s focus, he said, is to empower the youth and drive inclusive growth through technology.
Mudavadi said the government is investing heavily in infrastructure and digital skills. Kenya has expanded national fibre coverage by over 37,000 kilometres in three years and rolled out public Wi-Fi that serves about two million monthly users. Fixed broadband adoption has more than doubled.
“At Konza Technopolis, in partnership with the Open University of Kenya, we are nurturing the next generation of digital innovators, engineers, and researchers,” he said.
He highlighted the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2025–2030, which positions AI as a national superpower. The policy aims to balance innovation with ethical governance, emphasizing skills development, research, and responsible regulation.
Mudavadi also pointed to government initiatives such as Ajira, Jitume, and the Digital Hubs Programme, which have trained more than 600,000 young people in coding, data science, and digital entrepreneurship.
The government plans to establish 1,450 innovation hubs — one in every ward — to ensure that opportunity reaches every part of the country.
“Kenya’s greatest asset is its human capital,” he said.
“Our youth are creative, ambitious, and globally connected. To secure Kenya’s place as a global digital powerhouse, we must turn their energy and creativity into engines of enterprise and job creation.”
Moi University, he announced, will host a new Centre for Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT).
The centre will become a hub for cutting-edge research and innovation in partnership with the Ministry of ICT and other agencies.
Through partnerships with Konza Technopolis and the ICT Authority, the centre will promote applied research in drone-based environmental monitoring, community-driven tech incubation, and AI-driven solutions for development.
Mudavadi said the next Software and AI Summit, scheduled for 2026, will be co-hosted with the International Conference on Technological Advancement in Embedded and Mobile Systems.
The joint event will showcase Kenyan innovations to a global audience.
He called for stronger collaboration between government, academia, industry, and development partners.
“Government alone cannot achieve this vision. The private sector must invest in skills and innovation. Academia must reimagine curricula for a digital-first economy.”
He urged financial institutions to fund intellectual property and not just physical assets, and asked development partners to align their programs with Kenya’s national digital agenda.
“The success of this summit will not be measured by speeches, but by the partnerships formed and investments mobilised,” he said.
“What begins here in Eldoret must evolve into a permanent national dialogue on software, AI, and innovation.”
Mudavadi concluded by declaring the summit officially open, saying Kenya is ready to lead Africa’s technological transformation.
“Our message to the world is simple,” he said.
“Kenya is ready to build, ready to innovate, and ready to lead Africa’s digital transformation.”
However, the Prime CS sound a warning to the youth especially with the advent and era of technology.
“Your digital footprint is very important. You really need to think about it and reflect deeply. It can either bloc your ascendancy to greater heights or otherwise. As we speak there are some nations that have made it a requirement to examine your digital data and platform before you get a VISA to travel. It is not fiction; it is the truth.” cautioned Mudavadi.
“It may seem fashionable to disparage the President or ridicule Mudavadi or every other person, just because it looks fashionable, but I am telling you once you find that your VISA is being denied, it is never fashionable. So, enjoy this space, make use of it, but do what is ethical and what is right because we want you to go far. We don’t want you to terminate at the wrong place.” added Mudavadi.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary also referenced that in the last few weeks Kenya has experienced a situation where a lot of interventions for the young people has been taking place, some for good causes and some for adventure.
He cautioned them that the social media behavior both locally and while outside the country should be treated by the dignity it deserves.
“I want to encourage you that the world has become what it is, let us protect our rights, let us consolidate our rights in the accordance with the law and confines of our constitution, but again remember, the moment you step beyond Kenya’s borders it is not the constitution of Kenya that applies, neither do the laws of Kenya apply, you enter a sovereign state with different laws. My prayer is that our young people as they enjoy their freedom, please be cautious because we don’t want to lose any Kenyan, so as you go out there and develop these skills in AI, remember there are some basic issues that you must not abandon.” Mudavadi further cautioned.
“It is integrity that will take you higher. You can break the chains and gain freedom, but once you cut your roots you die.”
