Kenya has officially signed the Agreement establishing the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), reinforcing the country’s commitment to advancing inclusive and responsible artificial intelligence that delivers tangible benefits for citizens and supports sustainable development.
The agreement was signed in Shanghai on behalf of the Republic of Kenya by Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, William Kabogo Gitau. Kenya’s participation reflects its belief that artificial intelligence should be developed as a global public good that benefits people everywhere, rather than being concentrated within a few countries or organisations.
According to the Cabinet Secretary, the agreement supports Kenya’s vision of using AI to improve everyday life through practical applications such as digital agriculture, healthcare and innovation. He noted that AI has the potential to help farmers access advisory services in local languages, enable faster healthcare delivery and create greater opportunities for developers and technology entrepreneurs through improved access to computing resources and AI models.
The signing also aligns with Kenya’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, which aims to position the country as a leading AI innovation hub in Africa while strengthening digital skills, research, investment and responsible AI adoption across the economy.
Following the signing, Kenya reaffirmed its commitment to working with WAICO, the United Nations and international partners to promote equitable AI development, strengthen local innovation ecosystems and ensure artificial intelligence contributes to inclusive economic growth across Africa and the Global South.
