Microsoft and G42‘s partnership to bring advanced AI solutions and digital infrastructure to Kenya, part of a larger $1 billion investment by Microsoft and UAE’s G42 into the Kenya’s digital ecosystem, is starting to take shape.
Announced in May last year by Microsoft and other stakeholders and G42, the initiative has launched local-language AI model development and research, started broad AI digital skills training and are collaboration with the government of Kenya to support safe and secure cloud services across East Africa.
G42, which has stakes in TikTok-owner ByteDance and AI startup Analog is training an open-source large language AI model in Swahili and English to accelerate advanced research in Kenya in collaboration with local universities. The firm’s aim to launch site-specific fertilizer recommendations that increase agricultural productivity and work on AI models to high-resolution satellite data for both disaster preparedness and disaster response and wildlife populations and livestock tracking. Microsoft and G42 have also been skilling and mentoring startups and developers to help accelerate digital adoption.
Today, Microsoft said significant strides have been made in bolstering Kenya’s AI capabilities. Already, many Kenyan startups and companies have made a powerful impact across East Africa and the continent with innovative home-grown solutions to some of the continent’s most pressing challenges.
Speaking during the Microsoft Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tour held in Nairobi, part of its global AI Tour, Microsoft plans to do more to democratise access to healthcare to optimising supply chains in retail and enhancing customer experiences in banking.
Phyllis Migwi, the Country Manager for Microsoft Kenya speaking during the event in Nairobi said this partnerhip with G42 to provide this digital framework, bring advanced AI solutions and digital infrastructure to the country is part of a larger $1 billion investment announced in May.
Todate, more than 4 million young people across Africa have been upskilled by Microsoft over the last five years through various skilling and employability programmes. Microsoft has also been driving increased access to connectivity through its Airband Initiative, which includes Project Mawingu. By the end of 2024, Mawingu’s network was operational in 31 counties in Kenya, covering a population of 9.7 million. Together with Microsoft, Mawingu has provided reliable and affordable internet to schools, health clinics, and small businesses, impacting thousands of health clinic workers, teachers and students.
Announced last year, the skilling initiative in Kenya, aimed at training 1 million people in AI and cybersecurity, is part of Microsoft’s commitment to democratise AI and empower individuals with the skills needed to thrive in the digital economy, aligned with Kenya’s Vision 2030 and Digital Masterplan.
Significant strides have been made in bolstering Kenya’s AI capabilities. Already, many Kenyan startups and companies have made a powerful impact across East Africa and the continent with innovative home-grown solutions to some of the continent’s most pressing challenges. From democratising access to healthcare to optimising supply chains in retail and enhancing customer experiences in banking, the tangible benefits of AI are already transforming industries across Kenya. These new efforts will help drive AI adoption even further.
The forum highlighted that for Kenya to benefit from this ongoing global transformation, businesses and individuals must be empowered to leverage the game-changing potential of AI.
Across the globe, AI has emerged as one of the most powerful disruptive technologies in recent decades, capable of reshaping the business landscape both globally and in Africa. Estimates indicate that AI offers significant opportunities for Africa, with analysts forecasting that the technology could boost the continent’s economy by 50 percent of its current GDP by 2030 if Africa manages to capture just 10 percent of the global AI market. Additionally, a recent study by the IDC – a market intelligence firm, revealed an impressive return of $3.50 for every $1 invested in AI, underscoring the financial benefits of embracing this technology.
