Nairobi: The government is committed to ensuring that ethical and inclusive adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is embraced by Kenyans to enhance payment systems and public service delivery. Director of Information-In-Charge of ICT at the Directorate of Information, State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Esther Wanjau, stated that this initiative aims to simplify citizen access to services and bridge the digital divide.
According to Kenya News Agency, Wanjau, speaking during the Seamless East Africa 2025 forum at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, informed participants that the government launched the National AI Strategy in March this year. She highlighted that the strategy, anchored on broad stakeholder engagement, will address existing gaps in access to technology, particularly for underserved populations.
“This strategy will provide a roadmap for government actions in Artificial Intelligence,” Wanjau stated. “Through platforms like e-Citizen, we have already incorporated USSD and SMS systems to serve Kenyans without smartphones, ensuring inclusivity even as we advance into a more digital future.”
Wanjau emphasized that the government’s role is primarily policy formulation, with implementation largely driven by the private sector. She mentioned that the upcoming budget cycle will allocate funding for AI advancement and assured the government’s commitment to exploring low-cost smartphone production to support digital inclusion, especially in rural areas where infrastructure is lacking.
James Mureu, Chairman of the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA), highlighted AI’s potential to transform customer experience and boost operational efficiency, which he noted should remain accessible to all. “Technology must be simplified to avoid being a barrier,” Mureu said. He advocated for a shift in terminology, suggesting “emerging enterprises” replace the commonly used MSMEs to better reflect their economic contributions.
The two-day Seamless East Africa Conference gathered stakeholders from government, financial institutions, and the private sector to explore AI’s transformative power in digital payments and service delivery, emphasizing ethical processes and customer needs. The forum underscored the necessity for stronger collaboration between policymakers and innovators to ensure AI solutions meet the real-world needs of all citizens, both rural and urban.
During the event, 70 companies from countries including the United Kingdom, China, South Africa, India, Bahrain, and Ireland showcased their products, highlighting the global interest in AI advancements in Kenya.