The government is seeking to deepen partnerships with international development organisations and technology institutions as it moves to expand digital skills, accelerate artificial intelligence adoption and position technology at the centre of Kenya’s economic transformation agenda.
The push will see the second phase of the Ajira Digital Programme implemented between 2026 and 2030, with the government targeting wider access to digital opportunities while simultaneously laying the groundwork for increased use of artificial intelligence in public administration and service delivery.
Information, Communications and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo said the government was committed to developing a digitally skilled workforce capable of taking advantage of emerging opportunities in the global digital economy.
Mr Kabogo spoke after receiving a delegation from the Mastercard Foundation, led by its Kenya Country Director Hannah Tsadik, for discussions on the implementation of Ajira Digital Phase II.
The meeting reviewed the gains made during the programme’s first five years, including partnerships that have helped equip thousands of young Kenyans with digital skills.
The next phase is expected to expand the programme’s reach while strengthening governance, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms and scaling up digital hubs across the country.
The government also plans to place greater emphasis on groups that have traditionally faced barriers to accessing digital opportunities, including persons with disabilities, young women and other underserved communities.
The expansion of digital hubs is expected to provide more young people with access to training, connectivity and opportunities linked to the digital economy, particularly in areas where access to technology and reliable internet remains limited.
Mr Kabogo said the government was working with partners to ensure that the country’s digital transformation did not leave sections of the population behind.
The CS said the collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation would contribute to building a workforce equipped with the skills required in a changing labour market, where technology is increasingly influencing how businesses operate and how jobs are created.
The Ajira programme has been one of the government’s key interventions in promoting digital work and preparing young people to participate in the online economy.
The renewed focus comes at a time when policymakers are under pressure to address youth unemployment and create new avenues for income generation as the traditional labour market struggles to absorb a growing working-age population.
By expanding digital skills and access to online work, the government hopes to tap into the global digital services market while creating opportunities for young people to earn incomes without necessarily having to relocate in search of employment.
The discussions also point to a broader policy shift in which digital transformation is increasingly being treated as a key component of economic development rather than solely an information technology issue.
The briefing was attended by the Secretary for ICT and E-Government, Mary Kirema.
In a separate engagement that underscores the government’s growing focus on emerging technologies, Mr Kabogo held talks with the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) on strengthening cooperation in artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
The delegation was led by TBI Kenya Country Director Magdalene Kariuki.
The talks centred on the implementation of Kenya’s National AI Policy and the development of systems that will enable government to harness artificial intelligence in policymaking and service delivery.
Other areas discussed included building AI capacity among public servants, rolling out AI applications across government, developing AI-ready data infrastructure and using technology to improve efficiency and transparency.
The government is also looking at the potential of AI to transform critical sectors, including agriculture, health, finance and security.
The discussions signal an emerging effort by the government to move beyond policy formulation and begin building the institutional and technical capacity needed to deploy AI in practical government operations.
Mr Kabogo welcomed TBI’s commitment to support Kenya with technical expertise, institutional collaboration and AI readiness assessments in selected pilot ministries.
The partnership will also facilitate knowledge exchange with global leaders in artificial intelligence as Kenya seeks to strengthen its position in the fast-evolving technology sector.
The CS said responsible AI adoption could drive innovation while improving the efficiency of government operations and enhancing the delivery of services to citizens.
The government’s AI push comes amid growing global competition to attract technology investment, develop digital infrastructure and build local expertise in emerging technologies.
For Kenya, the success of the strategy will depend not only on the availability of technology but also on the country’s ability to develop the human capital, data infrastructure and regulatory systems required to deploy AI responsibly.
The government is therefore increasingly seeking partnerships with international institutions and development agencies to strengthen its capacity in areas ranging from digital skills development to AI governance.
The two engagements highlight what officials describe as a twin-track approach to digital transformation—equipping citizens with the skills to participate in the digital economy while ensuring that government institutions are prepared to adopt emerging technologies.
For young Kenyans, the expansion of Ajira Digital is expected to widen access to online work and digital entrepreneurship. For the public sector, the AI agenda could reshape how government services are designed and delivered.
The government’s challenge, however, will be to translate these partnerships and policy commitments into measurable outcomes, including increased digital employment, improved public services and wider access to technology.
As Kenya positions itself as a regional technology hub, the administration is betting that investment in digital skills, infrastructure and artificial intelligence will help create new economic opportunities and strengthen the country’s competitiveness in the global digital economy.
The planned expansion of Ajira Digital and the renewed push for AI adoption could therefore become important pillars of Kenya’s broader strategy to tackle unemployment, improve public sector efficiency and ensure that the country’s economic growth keeps pace with rapid technological change.
