Kenya, COMESA Move to Harmonise AI Policies and Digital Inclusion Across Eastern and Southern Africa | Kilimo News
By Kimuri MwangiKenya and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) have launched efforts to develop a harmonised regional framework for artificial intelligence (AI) and digital inclusion,. . .
(COMESA) have launched efforts to develop a harmonised regional framework for artificial intelligence (AI) and digital inclusion, aimed at accelerating digital transformation, boosting regional trade, and addressing emerging cybersecurity challenges. The initiative was announced during a stakeholder consultative meeting held in Nairobi as part of the Inclusive Digitalisation in Eastern and Southern Africa (IDEA) Programme, which is supported by the World Bank. The forum brought together government officials, regional policymakers and other stakeholders to deliberate on the development of a Regional Artificial Intelligence Strategy, a regulatory framework and a Regional Digital Inclusion Action Plan. Speaking at the meeting, State Department for Trade Director of ICT Timothy Were said artificial intelligence is increasingly becoming a key driver of economic transformation, trade facilitation, industrial competitiveness and innovation. State Department for Trade Director of ICT Timothy Were speaking in Nairobi during the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) stakeholder consultative meeting under the Inclusive Digitalisation in Eastern and Southern Africa (IDEA) Programme“We recognise that digital technologies and artificial intelligence are transforming economies and creating new opportunities for inclusive growth,” said Were. “Kenya has made significant progress by developing the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy to guide the responsible development and adoption of AI across key sectors. ”Were said the government continues to invest in digital infrastructure, research, innovation and data governance to create an enabling environment for digital transformation. At the same time, he warned that the rapid expansion of AI has created new challenges, particularly in cybercrime and cross-border digital governance, making regional cooperation increasingly important. “Cyberspace has no borders. Without a proper regulatory framework, there are people taking advantage of others through emerging technologies. That is why we need harmonised regional policies so that citizens and businesses enjoy the same protections across member states,” he said. He added that a common regulatory framework would provide businesses operating across borders with predictable and consistent AI regulations, thereby supporting regional trade and the growth of digital services. Kenya’s banking and financial services sector was identified as the country’s leading adopter of artificial intelligence, followed by education, transport and logistics, healthcare and agriculture. He noted that AI is helping bridge the gap created by the declining number of agricultural extension officers by providing farmers with digital advisory services. “Farmers can now access information remotely on climate conditions, suitable seed varieties, livestock breeds and best farming practices through AI-powered digital platforms,” he explained. “AI is playing an important role in revitalising agriculture, which remains the backbone of Kenya’s economy. ”COMESA Secretariat Telecommunications Officer Leonard Chitundu described the consultations as the beginning of an inclusive process to develop regional AI policies and digital inclusion frameworks that reflect the experiences and priorities of member states. He said Kenya’s achievements in mobile money, digital financial services and digital entrepreneurship offer valuable lessons for the region’s digital transformation agenda. “Artificial intelligence is shaping the way we live and work. Our goal at COMESA is to harmonise policies, standards and regulations so that all member states can benefit equally from AI and other emerging technologies,” Chitundu said. He observed that while AI presents significant opportunities to improve productivity, healthcare, education, agriculture and industrial efficiency, it also raises governance, ethical and regulatory concerns that require coordinated regional responses. Chitundu said the broader IDEA Programme is supported by approximately US$2. 5 billion in World Bank funding over an eight-year period that began in 2024, with COMESA receiving about US$10 million to develop regional policies, standards, regulatory frameworks and capacity-building programmes. COMESA Secretariat Telecommunications Officer Leonard Chitundu during the meeting“The larger portion of the funding will go directly to participating member states to improve digital infrastructure, internet connectivity, hosting services and digital public infrastructure,” he said. The programme aims to expand internet access to more than 100 million people across Eastern and Southern Africa while strengthening digital public services and promoting regional integration. Both Kenya and COMESA stressed that digital transformation must be inclusive, ensuring that women, youth, persons with disabilities and rural communities benefit from artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. Participants called for evidence-based regional policies that promote fairness, transparency, accessibility and the responsible use of AI while addressing challenges such as internet affordability, access to digital devices and digital literacy. The four-day consultation is focusing on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies during its first two days before shifting to discussions on digital inclusion, stakeholder engagement and the development of regional policy and regulatory frameworks.