Google has officially launched the Gemini Pro Plan (Google AI Pro) in Kenya, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering university and college students with advanced artificial intelligence (AI) tools and skills essential for the digital economy.
The program, unveiled at a high-profile event in Nairobi, is a partnership between Google and the Government of Kenya through the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy and the Ministry of Education.
Under the initiative, eligible students aged 18 years and above enrolled in any recognized university, college, or tertiary institution in Kenya will receive 12 months of free access to the Google Gemini Pro Plan, Google’s most advanced AI learning suite. The offer is open until December 9, 2025.
Information, Communications and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo lauded the collaboration, describing it as a key milestone in advancing Kenya’s AI Strategy 2025–2030.
“This initiative by Google is a pivotal step that aligns perfectly with Kenya’s strategic vision to harness the transformative power of AI for sustainable development and economic growth,” said Kabogo. “By providing our university and college students with premium access to Google’s most advanced AI model, we are actively investing in equipping the next generation with foundational AI skills needed to thrive in the classroom and future workforce.”
Representing the Principal Secretary for Higher Education and Research, Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, the Director of University Education and Research, Dr. David Watene, emphasized the importance of integrating AI literacy into higher education.
“Our education sector recognises the urgent need to address the skills gap and integrate AI literacy across all learning demographics. Tools like Guided Learning, study guides, and quizzes ensure that students deepen their understanding and build critical thinking skills along the way,” Dr. Watene said
Through the Gemini Pro Plan, students will gain access to Gemini 2.5 Pro, a powerful AI model designed to act as a personal tutor and academic assistant. Key features include:
Unlimited photo uploads for scanning lecture notes and textbooks for instant explanations.
Exam preparation tools that generate custom quizzes, flashcards, and study materials.
DeepResearch, an AI-powered tool for generating comprehensive, citation-based reports.
Veo 3.1 Fast, a feature that enables students to create dynamic videos from text and images.
NotebookLM, Google’s AI-powered research assistant for summarizing, analyzing, and organizing information from documents, videos, and websites.
2TB of Google Drive storage to support interactive learning and collaboration.
Google for Education Lead, Sub-Saharan Africa, Benson Kinoti, said the program reaffirms Google’s commitment to empowering learners through technology.
“We are immensely proud to roll out our most advanced AI tools for learning to eligible university students in Kenya, free of charge for twelve months,” Kinoti said. “With the Gemini Pro Plan, we aim to boost creativity, spark curiosity, and enhance problem-solving skills, helping students learn at their own pace.”
The initiative also includes a free online course titled “AI for Higher Education” offered through the Gemini Academy, open to both students and lecturers. The 90-minute training covers the ethical and effective use of AI in education, with participants earning an official Google Gemini Certificate upon completion.