Nairobi, Kenya, 29 June 2026 — The Government of Kenya, in collaboration with the COMESA Secretariat, and the World Bank, through the IDEA Programme Coordination Unit (PCU) has today opened a four-day Stakeholder Consultative Engagement and Awareness Workshop on harnessing Artificial Intelligence, Emerging Technologies and Digital Inclusion under the Inclusive Digitalization in Eastern and Southern Africa (IDEA) Programme.
The workshop, being held at Sarova Stanley Hotel in Nairobi, brings together representatives from government, the private sector, academia, research institutions, civil society organisations, development partners and regional stakeholders to deliberate on Kenya’s digital transformation priorities and their contribution to the broader COMESA regional agenda.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Guest of Honour Mr. Timothy Were, Director of ICT for the Kenyan Ministry of ICT, noted that Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies are transforming economies and societies globally, creating new opportunities for improved public service delivery, agricultural productivity, health systems, education, financial inclusion and evidence-based decision-making.
The Government of Kenya reaffirmed “its commitment to advancing responsible, inclusive and secure digital transformation by strengthening data governance, privacy protection, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, digital skills and enabling policy frameworks” stated Mr. Were. The engagement will also examine how Artificial Intelligence can be developed and deployed in ways that promote inclusion, protect fundamental rights, reduce bias and expand opportunities for all citizens.
Speaking on behalf of COMESA, Leonard Chitundu, Telecommunications Officer, expressed appreciation to the Government of Kenya for hosting the engagement and commended Kenya’s leadership in digital innovation, including mobile money, digital financial services, digital entrepreneurship, digital public services and innovation ecosystems.
“Kenya’s experience offers valuable lessons for the development of regional approaches to Artificial Intelligence, Digital Public Infrastructure and Digital Inclusion,” Mr. Chitundu said. “These consultations are the beginning of an inclusive process to ensure that regional digital policy frameworks are informed by country experiences, national priorities and stakeholder perspectives.”
Over the first two days, participants will focus on Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, including opportunities for adoption, national readiness, policy and regulatory gaps, and Kenya’s contribution to harmonised regional AI frameworks. The final two days will focus on Digital Inclusion, with particular attention to women and girls, persons with disabilities, rural communities, older persons, youth, refugees and displaced populations, linguistic minorities and small enterprises.
The consultations are expected to generate practical recommendations that will inform Kenya’s national priorities and contribute to regional strategies, action plans, policy guidelines and regulatory frameworks for responsible and inclusive digital transformation across Eastern and Southern Africa.
Kenya remains committed to working with COMESA Member States, development partners, the private sector, academia and civil society to build a shared, secure, innovative and digitally inclusive future where no citizen is left behind.
