Cabinet establishes AI committee to drive artificial intelligence agenda

President William Ruto's Cabinet has established a Standing Cabinet Committee on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to spearhead Kenya's national AI strategy and position the country as a regional leader in the responsible development and use of artificial intelligence.

The decision was made during a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Ruto at State House, Nairobi, as the government unveiled measures aimed at accelerating Kenya's digital transformation and creating more employment opportunities.

According to a Cabinet dispatch, the new committee will coordinate AI policy across government and oversee the development of governance frameworks to ensure the technology is deployed responsibly.

The committee will also promote AI-driven innovation, improve productivity, enhance public service delivery and support job creation and inclusive economic growth while putting in place appropriate safeguards.

In the same meeting, Cabinet approved the National Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Policy, a move aimed at positioning Kenya as a leading global outsourcing destination.

The government said the policy is expected to create thousands of quality jobs for young people, attract international investment and expand opportunities in the digital economy.

The policy seeks to capitalise on Kenya's skilled, English-speaking workforce, favourable time zone and expanding digital infrastructure to increase the country's share of the global BPO market.

According to Cabinet, the global business process outsourcing market is projected to exceed Sh68 trillion by 2030, presenting significant opportunities for Kenya to grow its exports of digital services and create employment.

 To equip young Kenyans with industry-ready skills, the meeting authorised negotiations to modernise welding and mechanical engineering training in 10 TVET institutions.

Cabinet also established the Kenya Leather Development Authority to strengthen regulation and coordination of the leather sector while adopting a revised MSME Policy to help small businesses grow, expand access to markets and finance, and create more jobs.

At the continental and global level, Cabinet approved Kenya’s hosting of the Secretariat of the Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions, reinforcing Nairobi’s position as Africa’s leading financial and diplomatic hub.

Cabinet also authorised negotiations on a long-term Economic Partnership for Shared Development with China to expand trade, investment and market access for Kenyan exports, while endorsing the ratification of key international agreements on migrant workers, big cat conservation and the Samoa Partnership Agreement, further strengthening Kenya’s regional leadership and global partnerships.