Nairobi seeks permanent role in global AI and tech network

Speaking during the AI EVERYTHING EXPO inauguration ceremony on Tuesday, Sakaja said Nairobi was ready to become a permanent participant in the global GITEX network, which is regarded as one of the world’s largest tech and AI event platforms.

“I want to assure you of 100 percent dedication, and I am personally going to lead it,” Sakaja said.

“We are willing to collaborate and to partner with AI EVERYTHING KENYA X GITEX KENYA beyond the current edition. We are prepared to become permanent participants in this global network. This will not be the first time.”

The governor said Nairobi is positioning itself as a leading African city in artificial intelligence and digital innovation, citing the city’s growing use of technology in public services.

According to Sakaja, Nairobi has adopted intelligent traffic systems, AI-powered air quality monitoring and NFC-enabled school meal programmes that currently serve more than 326,000 children.

He also noted that the county’s unified digital business permit system has helped boost city revenue by 55 percent over the last three years.

“As governor of this city, I take a very pragmatic approach to artificial intelligence,” he said.

“AI serves as a catalyst and facilitator in developing the Nairobi we envision – a city characterised by order, dignity, hope, and opportunity for all.”

Sakaja added that Nairobi residents had embraced technology quickly, pointing to the success of M-Pesa as proof of the city’s readiness for AI adoption.

“Our people have learned to trust technology, and once you have trusted technology with sending money through M-Pesa, uptake on anything else is much easier,” he said.

The governor also challenged startups attending the event to build solutions that can be deployed directly within the capital city, promising support and investment opportunities from the county government.

“To the startups here today, please develop solutions that are ready for deployment in our capital city. We will invest in them,” he said.

The event is organised by KAOUN International in partnership with the Office of the Special Envoy on Technology of the Republic of Kenya.

Special Envoy on Technology Philip Thigo said Africa must position artificial intelligence as an investment agenda rather than purely an ICT conversation.

“AI is literally AI everything,” Thigo said.

“The continent still lags behind in AI infrastructure, connectivity and energy, but we possess everything around artificial intelligence from mine to model, including green minerals, data, talent and emerging compute infrastructure.”

ICT Principal Secretary John Tanui said Kenya had already invested heavily in digital infrastructure, including submarine cable connectivity and online government services.

“Many industrial revolutions have come in the past, and Africa and Kenya have not been at the centre of them,” Tanui said.

“But this is happening at a time when our continent is emerging as a key destination for investment and as the region hosting the global talent that will drive the next industrial revolution.”

The three-day AI EVERYTHING KENYA X GITEX KENYA event has brought together more than 280 enterprises and startups, with delegates from 75 countries attending the conference.

According to organisers, the summit also features more than 120 speakers and 100 investors managing assets worth over US$50 billion.