By Edwin Austin
From May 19 to 21, 2026, Nairobi became the beating heart of Africa’s AI revolution. The historic AI Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya summit and exhibition, officially opened by Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Science, Research and Innovation, Abdulrazak Shaukat, drew over 15,000 delegates eager to accelerate AI adoption, shape digital policy, and unlock investment across key sectors.
The showcase marked a groundbreaking milestone as the first-ever collaborative AI and technology summit of its scale held in East Africa. The event was co-organized by inDEvents FZE, a UAE-based entity and the global organizer of GITEX events, in partnership with the Office of the Special Envoy on Technology of the Republic of Kenya. Additionally, ComDev Africa was a key partner in the event, joining forces with GITEX GLOBAL.
PS ICT Eng. John Tanui eloquently captured the spirit of AI Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya 2026, declaring, “We have laid the necessary infrastructure as a nation to ensure that Kenya thrives as a leading tech hub in the continent and the world.”
The PS highlighted the government’s strides, from laying 8 sub-sea cables, developing National AI strategy, digitizing over 22,000 government services that serve over 14 million Kenyans and advancing a strong data governance framework, so as to build a vibrant, innovation-driven ecosystem poised to position Kenya as Africa’s leading AI hub.
Complementing this vision, Kenya’s Special Tech Envoy, Ambassador Philip Thigo, who was heavily lauded for helping bring the event to life, emphasized the continent’s urgent need for AI leadership, declaring, “AI is Africa’s imperative and Kenya its gateway.” He underscored the importance of inclusive innovation that prioritizes fairness and transparency as Africa undergoes digital transformation.
Governor Johnson Sakaja spotlighted Nairobi’s strides with smart city projects already transforming lives. Smart cameras at busy junctions like Kilimani and Kileleshwa enhance security and traffic management, showing AI’s real-world impact. Sakaja was recently selected as one of 10 founding members of the global Mayors AI Forum, which was announced by former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg in Madrid.
During a plenary presentation, ICT Authority CEO Jessy Maruti highlighted Kenya’s strong commitment to digital skills development and inclusion as foundational elements for the country’s AI readiness. He outlined the government’s ongoing efforts to embed AI education at multiple levels, from basic digital literacy to advanced engineering, ensuring that the talent pipeline is equipped to meet the demands of the AI era.
Maruti emphasized the importance of scaling digital skills through innovative delivery models that combine AI with human trainers to overcome barriers such as unreliable internet and costly data. By his account, the initiatives align with Kenya’s broader vision to establish a digitally empowered society and ensure that young people acquire practical skills that translate into meaningful opportunities and sustainable economic growth.
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency’s Victoria Becker emphasized American partnerships in exporting 5G, cybersecurity, and data centre technologies to accelerate Africa’s AI journey. IBM’s Alessandra Curioni called for deep collaboration between governments and investors, warning that “generalising AI models is not going to work.” She further urged treating AI as a primary investment and building tailored, sustainable infrastructures.
Among the myriad partnerships made, a standout announcement came from Mastercard and Diamond Trust Bank (DTB), unveiling DTB Wearables, Kenya’s tokenized contactless payment wearables. Powered by Tappy Pay and Mastercard tokenization, these wristbands enable seamless tap-and-go payments on any contactless terminal, signaling a bold step towards a cashless, AI-driven economy.
The exhibition halls at GITEX Kenya 2026 buzzed with an electrifying showcase of next-generation AI and digital technologies from around the world. Visitors experienced live demonstrations spanning AI-powered fintech innovations, agritech breakthroughs, cybersecurity solutions, and cloud enterprise technologies. You just had to be there.
In the words of Kenya’s Tech Envoy, Amb. Philip Thigo, “Africa’s tech ecosystem is vibrant and purpose-driven. Instead of replicating legacy models, we are building new ones through innovations in food systems, healthcare, education, and governance. Every innovation serves the mission to uplift lives, bridge gaps, and build futures.”
Suffice it to say, ultimately, AI Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya 2026 was more than an event. It was a powerful statement. Kenya is not merely adopting AI; it is shaping Africa’s digital destiny. As PS Research Abdulrazak Shaukat declared, “This is our moment to lead the AI revolution on the continent.”