Kenya is in talks with Microsoft to boost digital transformation, enhance cybersecurity, and strengthen data protection in the public sector.
The initiative follows a high-level meeting in Nairobi attended by William Gitau, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy, alongside a senior Microsoft delegation. Talks focused on collaboration in artificial intelligence (AI) integration, cybersecurity frameworks, digital infrastructure expansion, and the development of nationwide digital hubs to boost technology access, drive innovation, and enhance public service delivery.
CS Gitau highlighted the importance of integrating AI across government operations to improve service delivery, policymaking, and resilience. He also stressed the need for robust data governance and compliance, emphasizing the government’s commitment to trusted cloud partnerships and sovereign data control.
The Microsoft delegation included Rashida Hodge, Corporate Vice President for Data and AI Customer Success; Aarti Borkar, Corporate Vice President for Security, Customer Success, and Incident Response; and Phyllis Migwi, Microsoft Kenya Country Manager.
Senior Kenyan officials present were Principal Secretaries Stephen Isaboke (Broadcasting & Telecommunications), John Tanui (ICT & Digital Economy), and Emmanuel Kata (ICT and Security Audit Control).
The proposed partnership aims to:
- Strengthen citizen data protection and privacy
- Enhance Kenya’s national cybersecurity capabilities
- Promote cloud adoption within the public sector
- Build digital skills and capacity for government employees
This collaboration aligns with Kenya’s ambition to become a digital leader in the region, leveraging advanced AI and cloud solutions for governance, efficient service delivery, and socio-economic growth.
Microsoft, already active in Africa’s technology landscape, has expressed its commitment to expanding its presence in Kenya through impactful public-private partnerships that support sustainable digital progress.
