AI Everything Kenya Launches in Nairobi as East Africa Pushes for Inclusive AI Future
“Africa’s role in AI must be articulated as an investment agenda. AI is not just about ICT; it touches every sector,”
Technology leaders, innovators, policymakers and investors converge in Nairobi for the AI Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya Summit, positioning East Africa at the centre of conversations on artificial intelligence, digital transformation and inclusive innovation. Photo/Courtesy
By Peter Otieno
Nairobi has officially become the centre of East Africa’s artificial intelligence conversation following the launch of AI Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya, a major regional technology summit bringing together governments, investors, innovators and global technology leaders.
The three-day event, which opened on May 19 at the Sarit Expo Centre, is being organised by GITEX organisers in partnership with the Office of the Special Envoy on Technology in Kenya. Organisers describe the summit as East Africa’s largest gathering focused on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
The summit comes at a time when African countries are increasingly positioning themselves to play a larger role in the global AI economy, with growing focus on digital infrastructure, innovation, investment and local talent development.
Speaking during the opening session, Kenya’s Special Envoy on Technology, Philip Thigo said Africa must approach artificial intelligence as a long-term investment opportunity rather than simply a technology trend.
“Africa’s role in AI must be articulated as an investment agenda. AI is not just about ICT; it touches every sector,” he said.
Thigo noted that although the continent still faces challenges in infrastructure, connectivity and energy, Africa remains rich in talent, data resources, green minerals and emerging innovation ecosystems capable of supporting AI growth.
He added that Kenya’s “Silicon Savanna” is now entering a new phase beyond the mobile revolution that transformed the continent nearly two decades ago.
Throughout the summit, speakers emphasised the need for AI systems that are accessible, inclusive and relevant to African realities. Discussions focused on how artificial intelligence can transform sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, banking, education, energy, trade and climate resilience.
Nkundwe Mwasaga, Director General of the Tanzania ICT Commission, said regional cooperation would be critical in accelerating East Africa’s digital transformation.
He identified digital skills, cybersecurity, telecommunications, innovation and research as key pillars necessary for the region to achieve digital sovereignty.
One of the major discussions at the summit centred on digital sovereignty and Africa’s control over its data, cloud infrastructure and AI systems. Industry leaders argued that African countries must develop trusted and interoperable AI ecosystems without isolating themselves from global innovation networks.
Snehar Shah, CEO of iXAfrica Data Centres, said Kenya is already building a strong foundation for AI growth through renewable energy, cloud infrastructure and data protection frameworks.
Global technology firms attending the summit also stressed the importance of balancing innovation with data control and cybersecurity.
Another major theme emerging from the summit was the need for African countries to move beyond consuming AI products and instead become creators and exporters of AI-driven solutions.
Lourinho Chamane of Mozambique’s National Institute of Information and Communication Technologies highlighted the importance of developing AI systems and language models tailored to African languages and local needs.
Commercialisation of AI solutions also featured prominently during discussions, with experts calling for increased investment in scalable African-built AI technologies.
Among the innovators showcased at the summit was PAWA AI, a platform focused on expanding AI accessibility for Swahili and other African language speakers.
Founder and CEO Winnie Mangeni said East Africa is already laying the groundwork to become a leader in AI innovation through talent development, infrastructure investment and policy reforms.
The launch of AI Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya also marks another milestone in the expansion of the global GITEX technology network, which now hosts events across multiple continents.
Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of the global organisers of GITEX, described artificial intelligence as both a technological and economic transformation capable of reshaping global competitiveness.
She said East Africa has the opportunity to emerge as a globally competitive AI hub if the region continues investing in infrastructure, research and collaborative innovation ecosystems.
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