Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to shaping Africa’s digital transformation by taking a prominent role in the newly launched AI Hub for Sustainable Development, a flagship initiative unveiled in Rome last week.
The launch, held at the UNDP Italy headquarters, drew over 500 participants from 60 countries, including global technology giants, African innovators, G7 leaders, and multilateral institutions.
Spearheaded by the Italian G7 Presidency and developed under the Mattei Plan, the Hub is a collaborative platform that aims to accelerate sustainable industrial growth in Africa through the responsible deployment of artificial intelligence. The initiative focuses on four key pillars: data, compute, talent, and partnerships.
Kenya’s Ambassador Philip Thigo, Special Envoy on Technology, was appointed to the Executive Steering Group (ESG) of the Hub—one of only two African representatives—alongside Egypt, the African Development Bank, the EU, Italy, and the UNDP. This underscores Kenya’s strategic leadership in AI governance and innovation on the continent.
“This is a groundbreaking move to unshackle Africa from historical exclusion from opportunity,” said Amb. Thigo. “Kenya lauds the leadership of H.E. President William Ruto and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for advancing a partnership model rooted in equity, action, and shared prosperity.”
During the event, 25 public-private partnerships were announced between African innovators and global corporations including Amazon and Microsoft. These collaborations are expected to catalyze the development of Africa’s AI infrastructure and provide unprecedented access to technology, funding, and mentorship.
The Hub is also introducing five flagship programmes designed to empower African youth and startups. These include:
1. AskHub Chatbot – an AI guide for innovation support.
2. Africa Green Compute Coalition – promoting renewable-powered data centers.
3. Compute Accelerator Programme – offering technical mentorship and cloud credits.
4. AI Infrastructure Builder Programme – supporting data and connectivity projects.
5. Strategic Partnerships – enabling global access to training, capital, and AI talent networks.
Senator Adolfo Urso, Italy’s Minister for Enterprise and Made in Italy, emphasized, “Outdated solutions cannot meet Africa’s dynamic AI needs. Bold collaborations are essential to build an inclusive AI future.”
The AI Hub marks a significant milestone in global cooperation, placing Kenya at the heart of Africa’s AI-driven future. The initiative is a major step forward in ensuring that AI technologies are built with Africa, not just for it.