Kenya has emerged as the world’s leading market for artificial intelligence usage, with 97.5% of internet users aged 16 and above reported to be using AI, according to the Digital 2026 Mid-year Global Update Report.
AI adoption in Kenya spans learners, individuals, employees and businesses, with organisations increasingly using the technology to automate customer support, accelerate credit scoring and improve operational processes.
Safaricom is among the organisations adopting AI, with the company using the technology to support M-PESA customer service and detect financial fraud across its platforms.
The United Arab Emirates ranks second globally with 94.2% AI usage, followed by Indonesia at 93.6% and Egypt at 93.4%.
Other African markets are also recording high levels of AI adoption. South Africa ranks at 89.9%, while Nigeria records 89.4%, highlighting the growing role of artificial intelligence across the continent.
The findings point to Africa’s increasingly significant role in global AI adoption, with both consumers and businesses integrating AI into everyday activities, customer services and operational processes.
