H.E President William Ruto. during the launching of Africa Center of Competence for AI skilling and sustainability on Friday 6th at Konza Technopolis
In a landmark move to position Africa as a leader in digital innovation and green transformation, the Government of Kenya, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other key partners, has unveiled the Africa Centre of Competence for Digital and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Skilling and the timbuktoo GreenTech Hub. This visionary initiative marks a critical step towards reimagining Africa’s socio-economic future through cutting-edge technology, green solutions, and inclusive development.
Speaking at the launch, H.E. William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, emphasized Africa’s untapped potential. “Africa is rich with resources, innovation, and talent, yet these remain underutilized. The timbuktoo GreenTech Hub and Africa Centre of Competence for Digital and AI Skilling provide a platform to harness technology, address climate change, and enhance public service delivery across the continent.”
The initiatives align with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which envisions a sustainable and prosperous Africa driven by science, technology, and innovation. By nurturing startups and empowering civil servants with future-ready skills, the partnership seeks to create people-centered solutions, bridging the digital divide while driving green industrialization.
At the heart of this transformation is the timbuktoo GreenTech Hub, situated in Kenya’s Konza Technopolis—often referred to as Africa’s “Silicon Savannah.” The hub, part of the broader timbuktoo Initiative, aims to support African startups in green and climate technologies. UNDP’s Africa Regional Director, Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, highlighted the immense potential of Africa’s climate tech sector, noting the hub’s role in leveraging initiatives like the Africa Green Industrialization Initiative (AGII) and the UAE’s $4.5 billion climate finance program.
“Africa’s ingenuity and talent can lead a socio-economic revolution,” Ms. Eziakonwa said. “The GreenTech Hub will provide critical support to startups, driving innovation to scale renewable energy and climate solutions.”
Complementing this effort, the Africa Centre of Competence for Digital and AI Skilling will equip over 100,000 Kenyan civil servants with essential AI and digital skills in its first phase, with participation expected from Uganda, Rwanda, Nigeria, and other African nations. This transformative upskilling initiative is being carried out in collaboration with global tech giants such as Microsoft and Google.
John Paul Okwiri, CEO of Konza Technopolis, called the hub a “beacon of innovation.” “Konza represents Kenya’s commitment to a future where technology fuels economic growth and climate action,” he added
By fostering cross-border collaboration and nurturing Africa’s startups, this initiative stands as a bold step towards a green and technologically empowered continent, one ready to lead in addressing global challenges