en.Wedoany.com Reported - Kenya is in discussions with OpenAI to establish the first OpenAI Academy in East Africa, located in Nairobi, aiming to solidify the country's position in the regional artificial intelligence sector. President William Ruto disclosed this news after meeting with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on the sidelines of the G7 Leaders' Summit in France, sharing a photo of the meeting on social media.
In a statement, Ruto said the two sides discussed potential cooperation, including designating Nairobi as the site for the first OpenAI Academy project in East Africa, promoting AI education, enhancing digital skills, supporting educators and learners, and strengthening Kenya's positioning as a hub for AI talent and innovation. He emphasized the need to leverage emerging technologies to create opportunities for young people, drive innovation, and ensure Africa plays a meaningful role in the future digital economy.
If the plan materializes, the Nairobi academy would become the second official OpenAI Academy on the African continent, following the first location at the University of Lagos in Nigeria. These negotiations come as Kenya ranks among the countries with the highest ChatGPT usage globally. However, no formal agreement has been signed yet, and the plan remains in the discussion phase.
This development coincides with a global surge in AI investment, as countries compete for infrastructure, talent training programs, and strategic partnership opportunities. Research firm Gartner predicts global AI spending will reach approximately $2.5 trillion by 2026. Kenya has recently intensified engagement with major tech companies including OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Microsoft, Meta, Nvidia, Mistral AI, and Cohere.
The proposed collaboration builds on the Kenya National AI Strategy 2025–2030, released in March 2025. The strategy focuses on governance, ethics, investment, digital infrastructure, data ecosystem development, and support for AI research and innovation. Kenya has also enhanced its international influence through participation in the United Nations High-Level Advisory Board on AI, the International Network of AI Safety Institutes, and by leading the World Summit on the Information Society.
According to the Digital Global Update Report, Kenya consistently ranks among the top five tech ecosystems in Africa, earning the nickname "Silicon Savannah." In 2025, its AI tool usage ranked among the highest globally, with 97.5% of surveyed online adults reporting active use of AI technologies. If the Nairobi academy is ultimately established, it is expected to bring significant opportunities for students, educators, entrepreneurs, and developers in East Africa, while deepening connections between global AI leaders and the region's rapidly growing tech ecosystem.
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