The Kenyan government is setting its sights on an inclusive, tech-powered future with Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the heart of its digital transformation agenda. At the Seamless East Africa 2025 forum held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, officials outlined bold steps being taken to integrate AI into public service delivery and payment systems, ensuring no one is left behind.
Esther Wanjau, Director of Information and ICT at the State Department of Broadcasting and Telecommunications, emphasized the government’s commitment to ethical and equitable AI adoption. She noted that the National AI Strategy, officially unveiled in March, was developed through wide stakeholder consultations and is designed to bridge access gaps, particularly in underserved communities.
“This strategy isn’t just about innovation; it’s about inclusion,” said Wanjau. “We are deliberately tailoring services through platforms like eCitizen, integrating USSD and SMS options to reach Kenyans without smartphones. Our goal is to ensure that technology doesn’t widen the digital divide it narrows it.”
She also revealed that the government is exploring the production of affordable smartphones and that future budgets will factor in investment towards AI development. Wanjau underscored that while the government’s role lies in policy and regulatory framework, execution will largely be steered by the private sector.
“Our job is to create the right environment for innovation to thrive one that is guided by laws, ethics, and the needs of the people,” she added.
Joining the conversation, James Mureu, Chairperson of the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA), highlighted the transformative potential of AI for Kenya’s informal economy. He stressed that for AI to truly serve the people, it must be simple, accessible, and user-friendly.
“For the mama mboga, the carpenter, the small trader complexity kills progress. AI must be seamless. Paying taxes or accessing services should be as easy as entering a PIN,” said Mureu.
He pointed to ongoing innovations like the Nairobi Expressway’s smart tolling and Kenya’s robust mobile money ecosystem as examples of how technology can be both sophisticated and user-centric.
Mureu also proposed a shift in mindset around the country’s small businesses. He called for a rebranding of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as “emerging enterprises,” a term he said better reflects their economic weight and potential.
“These businesses power 90% of our workforce and contribute 40% to our GDP. It’s time policy and language gave them the respect they deserve,” he said.
Calling on developers to design AI solutions tailored for Kenya’s estimated 16 million small businesses, Mureu urged regulators to build systems based on trust, fairness, and simplicity not just profit.
The two-day conference brought together stakeholders from government, financial institutions, tech innovators, and development partners, united by a common goal: to leverage AI in ways that are inclusive, transparent, and centered on real-life needs.
With 70 companies from across the globe including the UK, Kenya, China, South Africa, India, Bahrain, and Ireland showcasing their latest tech solutions, the forum spotlighted Kenya’s growing role as a regional digital innovation hub.
As Kenya moves deeper into the digital age, the message from Seamless East Africa 2025 was clear: AI must work for everyone from city dwellers to rural entrepreneurs with dignity, access, and impact at the core.
