Kenya has initiated programs aimed at promoting the ethical and inclusive integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in public service delivery and digital payment systems, with the goal of enhancing efficiency and bridging the digital divide.
This commitment is anchored in the recently launched National AI Strategy, which aims to simplify access to government services, particularly for underserved communities.
At the Seamless East Africa 2025 forum held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Esther Wanjau, the Director of Information in charge of ICT at the State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ethical AI development.
She noted that the National AI Strategy, unveiled in March 2025, was developed through broad stakeholder engagement and will serve as a roadmap for deploying AI technologies that improve efficiency while protecting citizens’ rights.
“This strategy outlines our vision for AI deployment across sectors, including payments and service delivery,” said Ms. Wanjau. “It’s not just about high-end technology; we are building inclusive platforms. Through E-Citizen, we’ve incorporated USSD and SMS options for citizens without smartphones, ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital future.”
She clarified that while the government provides the policy framework and enabling environment, it is the private sector that will lead in innovation and implementation. The upcoming budget cycle, she noted, will include dedicated allocations to support AI development and digital transformation initiatives.
Additionally, Wanjau revealed plans to explore the local manufacturing of affordable smartphones to support digital inclusion, especially in remote and rural areas where access to digital infrastructure is limited.
James Mureu, Chairman of the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA), emphasized the transformative potential of AI for small businesses and everyday citizens. He called for simplified digital technologies that would be usable by artisans, traders, and players in the informal sector.
“Technology must be made simple and accessible. For the mama mboga (vegetable seller) or the local carpenter, AI should be as easy as responding to a prompt and entering a PIN,” said Mureu. “We’re already seeing AI-driven innovations in expressway toll systems and mobile payments. That’s the model we need to scale.”
Mureu also proposed a shift in terminology regarding small businesses, advocating for the term “emerging enterprises” instead of the commonly used MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises). He argued that this term better reflects the potential and critical contributions of these businesses, which support 90% of Kenya’s workforce and account for 40% of the GDP.
He challenged tech developers to create AI solutions tailored for the more than 16 million small enterprises across the country. Simultaneously, he urged regulators to ensure that AI integration is guided by fairness, transparency, and a people-centered approach.
“We need regulatory frameworks that reward productive economic activity rather than profiteering. Ethical AI must be built on trust and simplicity,” he stated.
The two-day Seamless East Africa 2025 conference brought together key stakeholders from government, financial institutions, tech innovators, and development partners to discuss the responsible use of AI in enhancing service delivery. The forum underscored the need for strong collaboration between policymakers and developers to ensure that AI tools are responsive to the needs of all citizens, both urban and rural.
Over 70 companies from Kenya, the United Kingdom, China, South Africa, India, Bahrain, and Ireland showcased cutting-edge solutions at the exhibition, reflecting the growing global interest in Kenya’s AI ambitions and digital transformation agenda.
