Kenya in Talks with OpenAI to Host East Africa’s First AI Academy

Kenya is in discussions with OpenAI to establish Nairobi as the home of the first OpenAI Academy initiative in Eastern Africa, President William Ruto has revealed, in a move that could cement the country’s standing as the region’s leading artificial intelligence hub.

Ruto disclosed the development after meeting OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman on the sidelines of the G7 Leaders’ Summit in France on Wednesday. The two held talks about opportunities to explore artificial intelligence in Kenya, with the President sharing a photo of the meeting on social media. 

‘’On the margins of the G7 Leaders’ Summit, I held discussions with OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman on opportunities to deepen collaboration in artificial intelligence and digital transformation,’’ Ruto said in a statement.

“We explored potential collaboration through establishing Nairobi as the home of the first OpenAI Academy initiative in Eastern Africa, expanding AI education, strengthening digital skills, supporting educators and learners, and reinforcing Kenya’s position as a leading hub for AI talent and innovation,” 

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He added that he had stressed the need to harness emerging technologies to create opportunities for young people, drive innovation, and ensure Africa plays a meaningful role in shaping the future digital economy.

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If realised, the Nairobi academy would be only the second official OpenAI Academy on the continent, with the first currently hosted under the University of Lagos in Nigeria. The talks come against the backdrop of Kenya ranking among the highest users of ChatGPT globally. 

The proposal, however, remains at an early stage with no formal agreement yet to be announced or signed..

The development comes as governments worldwide compete to attract AI infrastructure, talent development programmes and strategic partnerships amid a surge in global AI investment, with research firm Gartner projecting global AI spending will reach approximately $2.5 trillion in 2026. Kenya has in recent months intensified engagements with major AI and technology firms including OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Microsoft, Meta, Nvidia, Mistral AI and Cohere.

The proposed partnership builds on the Kenya National AI Strategy 2025–2030, launched in March 2025, which signalled the country’s ambition to position itself as Africa’s leading AI innovation hub by prioritising governance, ethics, investment, digital infrastructure, data ecosystem development and support for AI research and innovation. Kenya has also strengthened its international profile through participation in the United Nations High-Level Advisory Board on AI, the International Network of AI Safety Institutes, and leadership of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20).

Kenya, often ranked among Africa’s top five tech ecosystems and nicknamed “Silicon Savannah,” recorded the world’s highest rate of AI tool usage in 2025, with 97.5% of online adults reporting active use of AI-powered technologies, according to the Digital Global Update Report.

Should the academy materialise, it could offer significant opportunities for students, educators, entrepreneurs and developers across the wider East African region, while deepening ties between global AI leaders and the continent’s fast-growing technology ecosystem.

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