The initiative represents a linchpin in the nation’s journey to a modern, resilient, and inclusive digital government. With AI skills, officials could automate repetitive tasks, draw insights from complex datasets, and craft more responsive policies.
Kenya is gearing up to overhaul government operations with AI, aiming to equip 100,000 public servants with the skills to make it happen. The initiative was formally set in motion at the first Project Implementation Board meeting of the Regional Centre of Competence (RCOC) for Digital and AI Skilling held on August 11. The meeting was co-chaired by the Ministry of Public Service and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
For the Principal Secretary for ICT and Digital Economy, Eng. John Kipchumba Tanui, “With these steps, Kenya is firmly positioning itself as a continental hub for AI excellence — boosting efficiency, decision-making, and inclusive governance.” This vision is supported by a deepening partnership among the government, UNDP, Microsoft, and other collaborators, who will provide curriculum expertise, technology access, and research support to ensure the training is both practical and forward-looking.
The RCOC, based at the Kenya School of Government, will serve not just as a national training hub but as a continental blueprint for AI capacity building, with Kenya pledging to share its model and resources with 37 African nations. At the meeting, government leaders, development partners and tech experts endorsed the Project Board and approved an implementation plan that sets the stage for AI integration into public service delivery.
A core element of the plan is the commitment to train 100,000 civil servants in AI applications, starting with an initial cohort of 10,000 selected through transparent, merit-based criteria. Already, two-thirds of this first group are ready to begin training. The programme will integrate AI tools directly into public workflows, spanning policymaking, service delivery, and data management, enabling faster decision-making and more inclusive governance.
Public service upskilling is especially urgent. Digital transformation initiatives like the Digital Masterplan 2022–2032 aim to digitize 80% of government services, connect 100,000 km of fibre, and roll out nationwide public Wi-Fi. Yet these systems can only achieve their full potential if managed by officials who understand, adapt, and innovate with new technologies.
AI can speed up service delivery, strengthen data-driven decision-making, and make government operations more transparent and efficient. And with training rolled out in partnership with UNDP and Microsoft, public servants will gain access to globally benchmarked curricula, tools, and research networks.
If successful, the programme could serve as a model for other African nations, helping bridge the continent’s digital skills gap while enabling governments to lead in AI adoption rather than lag behind it.
Hikmatu Bilali
