Microsoft has announced the launch of a new skilling initiative in Kenya aimed at training 1 million people in AI and cybersecurity by 2027.
The tech giant says this initiative is part of its 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.
It adds that this skilling initiative aims to have a significant impact on Kenya’s digital economy by fostering innovation and digital transformation across sectors including government, industry, education, and non-profit organisations.
“Kenya’s vibrant tech ecosystem and commitment to digital transformation make it the perfect location for our skilling initiative. We are excited to empower individuals, SMEs and organisations with the skills needed to thrive in any sector including tech,” says Winnie Karanu, AI National Skills Initiative Director, Kenya, Microsoft.
By 2027 the initiative aims to empower SMEs and industry professionals with the skills needed to integrate AI into their operations, driving economic growth and job creation, while enhancing the quality of education by building AI capacity among educators and students. The skilling programme will foster innovation and digital transformation across key sectors and improve service delivery and efficiency in government agencies by adopting AI-driven solutions.
Key Highlights of the Initiative include training 1 million individuals in AI and Cybersecurity, leveraging platforms like the Kenya Skills Hub and Smart Academy for training. Microsoft will also partner with key government agencies, including the Ministry of Information Communication and the Digital Economy (MOICT) and the Public Service Commission (PSC), to drive citizen skilling and support AI and Cybersecurity policy development, leveraging platforms like the Ajira program and the Jitume centres for training.
The initiative will include comprehensive AI education programs for K-12 students, university faculty, and vocational training institutions, ensuring a robust pipeline of AI talent. AI University tours and faculty immersion programmes will help build capacity in the country’s universities. Microsoft will also launch AI Research catalyst programmes and AI Innovation Labs with strategic universities.
The programme aims to build the capacity of skilling organisations and non-profits like KEPSA, Stanbic Kenya Foundation, Power Learn project & Africa Centre for Women in ICT (ACWICT), to drive AI skilling at scale for Kenya’s youth and underserved communities.
Microsoft says the programme will target critical industries such as agriculture, and financial services, driving AI transformation and skills development for economic growth.
The AI skilling initiative builds on other programmes in Kenya to build digital literacy and technology skills, also supported by Microsoft. The Government of Kenya, UNDP, the Public Service Commission and Microsoft have co-developed a Centre of Competence that’s poised to transform public service delivery. The centre aims to train 300,000 public servants over the next three years, with 50,000 policymakers, organisation leaders and users being trained in the first year.
In collaboration with industry organisations such as KEPSA and the Kenya Bankers Association, a team is spearheading cybersecurity campaigns to educate users and organisational leaders on AI and cybersecurity, while for industry leaders the team will provide in-depth AI and cybersecurity training in conjunction with ALN law firm and other partners.
Through its Africa Development Centre, Microsoft is also partnering with Cyber Shujaa to train 100 youth in cybersecurity, to improve the cybersecurity talent pipeline in the technology sector. This programme is being run in collaboration with Serianu and United States International University Africa (USIU).
“Skilling at scale supports the Kenyan Government’s goal to firmly position Kenya as a global leader in AI talent, and it reaffirms Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to building the digital skills needed to position Kenya for long-term success in the global digital economy,” adds Karanu.
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