Kenya Ranked 8th in Africa in AI Readiness

AI readiness measures how ready a country is to adopt, regulate, and benefit from artificial intelligence technologies. The Oxford Insights Index examines over 40 indicators across three main areas:

• Government – Does the country have a national AI strategy? How effective are the policies, regulations, and governance structures?
• Technology Sector – Is the tech ecosystem mature and innovative enough to support AI growth?
• Data & Infrastructure – Is there adequate connectivity, computing power, and data systems to make AI work effectively?

Kenya’s 8th place in Africa shows that we are becoming serious. However, other African countries like South Africa, Nigeria, and Egypt are currently ahead of us in developing stronger AI ecosystems.

A positive aspect of the report is recognising Kenya as a digital powerhouse in Africa. Together with Nigeria, Egypt, and South Africa, Kenya is one of the countries leading the way in AI-driven solutions that tackle local challenges.

Here are some examples of AI's impact in Kenya:

Healthcare: AI diagnostic tools help doctors detect diseases faster. Telemedicine platforms connect patients with doctors remotely. AI-driven supply chains ensure medicine reaches rural areas.

Agriculture: Precision farming technologies use satellite data and machine learning to guide farmers on when to plant, irrigate, or harvest. AI advisory tools provide farmers with real-time insights on weather, soil quality, and pest management.

Education: E-learning platforms personalise learning experiences. AI tutors help address gaps in classrooms where teachers are overwhelmed.

Governance: AI tools are used for fraud detection, tax compliance, and enhancing transparency in government services.

The report also highlights Africa’s greatest asset: its people. By 2030, 75% of Africa’s population will be under 35. By 2050, Africa will have a quarter of the world’s working-age population.

This demographic advantage is often called the youth dividend. In relation to AI, it means Africa has the potential to develop the largest AI workforce in the world.

 According to the white paper, 78% of young Africans report using AI tools weekly, a higher adoption rate than in Europe or the United States.

This statistic is significant. It indicates that young Kenyans are experimenting, learning, and innovating with AI at a grassroots level. With the right investments in training and education, this generation could lead globally in AI-driven industries.

Also, the report emphasises that Kenya and Africa face major challenges that could hinder AI adoption.

Connectivity Gap  
Millions of Kenyans lack access to reliable, affordable internet. Without stable connectivity, many people cannot benefit from AI.

Skills Gap  
AI needs skilled professionals such as engineers, data scientists, ethicists, and policymakers. Kenya has talent, but not enough to meet the increasing demand. The education system must change quickly to bridge this gap.

Local Language Barrier  
Only 0.02% of digital content is available in African languages. This limits the effectiveness and inclusiveness of AI models. For AI to truly help Kenyans, it must “speak” our languages and reflect our culture.

Infrastructure Deficits  
AI requires significant computing power and strong data systems. Many African countries, including Kenya, still struggle to build this essential infrastructure. Without it, scaling AI solutions will be slow and costly.

The Economic Potential for Kenya

The global AI market is worth an astonishing USD 16.5 trillion (as of 2024). Africa currently makes up only 2.5% of that market, but analysts estimate that by 2030, AI could contribute USD 2.9 trillion to Africa’s economy.

For Kenya, this could mean:

Job creation in AI development, data analysis, cloud computing, and digital services.

Increased productivity: From farms to factories, AI can lower costs, reduce waste, and boost efficiency.

Emergence of new industries: New markets in fintech, e-commerce, healthtech, and edtech could arise.

Empowerment of SMEs: AI tools could empower small and medium businesses by enabling them to compete with larger companies in marketing, logistics, and customer engagement.

Kenya has ranked 8th in Africa and 93rd globally in AI readiness, according to the 2024 Oxford Insights Government AI Readiness Index. This highlights both progress and untapped potential as the country positions itself for the estimated $2.9 trillion AI-driven economic opportunity by 2030.

Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa could unlock up to Ksh. 17 trillion (about USD 136 billion) in economic value by 2030 through AI adoption.

Kenya’s current ranking—8th in Africa and 93rd globally—is a reason to celebrate and a call to action. We have the talent, energy, and innovative spirit to lead Africa in adopting AI. But this opportunity will only happen if we take focused steps:

• Invest in infrastructure such as broadband, data centres, and cloud capacity.
• Build skills by integrating AI and digital literacy into our education system.
• Support local languages and culture to make AI relevant to everyday Kenyans.
• Encourage public-private collaboration so that government, universities, and tech companies work together.
• Promote ethical AI use by establishing strong regulations to ensure AI is used responsibly and fairly.