Kenya has launched an ambitious programme to transform public service delivery through artificial intelligence, with plans to train 100,000 government officials in AI skills.
The initiative, seen as a cornerstone of the country’s digital transformation agenda, was formally inaugurated at the first Project Implementation Board meeting of the Regional Centre of Competence (RCOC) for Digital and AI Skilling. The session was jointly chaired by the Ministry of Public Service and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
According to Eng. John Kipchumba Tanui, Principal Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy, the move positions Kenya as a regional leader in AI adoption: “These steps are about making governance more efficient, inclusive, and data-driven.” The programme is being implemented in partnership with UNDP, Microsoft, and other technology collaborators who will provide expertise, infrastructure, and research support to ensure the training is practical and relevant.
Digital Masterplan 2022–2032
The RCOC, headquartered at the Kenya School of Government, will act as a national training hub and also serve as a model for other African nations. Kenya has committed to share its curriculum and best practices with 37 countries across the continent, making the centre a continental benchmark for AI capacity building.
The initial rollout will train 10,000 officials, two-thirds of whom are already enrolled and ready to begin. Training will focus on embedding AI applications directly into government workflows such as policymaking, service delivery, and data management, with the goal of fostering faster and more transparent decision-making.
This initiative complements the broader Digital Masterplan 2022–2032, which seeks to digitize 80% of government services, expand fibre-optic connectivity by 100,000 km, and establish nationwide public Wi-Fi. By upskilling civil servants, Kenya aims not only to maximize the impact of these digital investments but also to bridge the continent’s skills gap and establish a framework other African governments can replicate.