On 7^th November 2024, the Kenya Private Sector Alliance, in partnership with Signal Alliance Technology Holding (SATH) Kenya and Microsoft, hosted a one of a kind Executive breakfast meeting that aimed to engage C-suite executives from Kenya’s leading Enterprises. The high-level forum focused on ‘AI for Business Growth,’ and the role of artificial intelligence in driving productivity, innovation, and sustainable business transformation. The engagement fostered conversations into how AI can enhance operational efficiency, improve customer engagement, and drive long-term growth in an increasingly competitive and fast-evolving market.

This AI conversation is crucial as it positions Kenya and Africa as a whole to leverage AI not only as a driver of business growth but also as a tool for addressing the continent’s most pressing challenges. By embedding AI into strategies for poverty reduction, educational improvement, disease management, healthcare advancements, and food security, Kenya can move closer to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Today's forum emphasized that by adopting AI responsibly, Kenya’s private sector can fuel economic resilience and social impact. As industry leaders, Kenyan enterprises have the opportunity to be at the forefront of this shift, not only by enhancing operational efficiencies and engaging customers but also by aligning with a larger vision of sustainable development. This kind of engagement is essential for fostering a national ecosystem where AI empowers people, drives inclusive growth, and uplifts communities across the nation.

Adapting and being able to utilise new cutting-edge technologies is paramount for the growth of businesses and the private sector at large. Dr. Ehud Gachugu, Ag. Deputy CEO and Global Director of Youth & Jobs at KEPSA underscored the importance of this engagement in his remarks: ‘One of the biggest challenges is making AI accessible, beyond just raising awareness. It’s about how we support businesses in adopting this technology in a way that’s palatable and suitable for their growth stage. AI is not just a buzzword, while most people have heard of it, especially younger generations, true adoption requires thoughtful application. That’s why our approach is all about ensuring that AI technology fits well with each business’s needs, factoring in resources and talent, especially for SMEs, which represent 90% of our economy.’

Recognizing that AI is powered by quality data, Dr. Ehud explained that KEPSA has had a significant focus on helping SMEs and micro-enterprises understand data analytics and data science. “We cannot talk about AI without focusing on data,” he noted, stressing that good data is foundational to effective AI integration. He additionally emphasized that Kenya’s progress is owed to a collective effort across various ecosystem partnership collaborations. He stressed that public awareness and knowledge-sharing around technology will be crucial in accelerating AI adoption.

Also speaking during the event, Mr Kenneth Ufomba, Managing Director at SATH Consulting Services, gave a well detailed presentation highlighting why business innovation with Artificial Intelligence is important. According to Kenneth, Companies that embrace AI and data-driven insights consistently outperform their competitors, proving the tangible benefits of adopting these technologies. He emphasized that for any organization, establishing a culture of transparency and collaboration around AI is essential. “We have two choices: either we embrace and adapt to these changes, or we get left behind,” he said, noting that AI and innovation are not just trends they’re the future of how industries will operate and hence the need to integrate them into our business models.

Vivian Kigada, Microsoft Modern Work Lead, Africa in her presentation, shared compelling examples of how businesses are transforming through AI, illustrating how AI reshapes traditional processes and drives impactful results. One example involved an organization using Microsoft’s Co-pilot for security within their operations centre, enhancing internal security measures with AI support.

Miss Vivian, concluded by inviting the audience to explore AI adoption strategically. “Define your strategy, design your solution, and prove feasibility and value,” she advised. “Success with AI isn’t just about the technology; it’s about aligning your strategy, identifying the right users and processes, and working with the right partners.” She expressed optimism about the future of AI and encouraged businesses to embrace the journey ahead, emphasizing that with the right foundation and partnerships, the opportunities for innovation and growth are boundless.

The meeting concluded with an engaging panel session, that included: Dr Ehud Gachugu, AG, DCEO at KEPSA, Hartnell Ndungi Chief Data Officer-ABSA Africa, Joseph Kanyua-HoD Digital Transformation Safaricom, Mutembei Kariuki CEO at Fastagger and Collins Onuegbu, Chairman at SATH Kenya as the moderator. In this panel session, several key themes emerged, especially around the implications and opportunities of AI from both a global and Kenyan perspective. Here are the main points discussed:

1. Global and Sovereign Impact of AI: The panel discussed the concept of “AI superpowers” and “data colonies,” and the views on AI's potential to shift global power dynamics.
2. Strategic Use of AI by Nations: There was a focus on the idea that countries need to develop and leverage their own AI capabilities and data resources to maintain autonomy, this approach is seen as a way for nations to build economic resilience.
3. Kenya’s AI Opportunities and Challenges: From a Kenyan perspective, panelists explored how the country could utilize AI for growth and development, particularly by building local data infrastructure and AI expertise. The discussion highlighted Kenya’s potential to develop its own AI resources to boost productivity, inform policy, and address local economic challenges while creating jobs and fostering innovation.
4. Economic and Developmental Upside of AI: The conversation underscored the economic benefits AI can bring, especially for companies that invest early. By adopting AI, organizations could gain competitive advantages, such as operational efficiency, better customer engagement, and insights for strategic decision-making.

The session concluded with a call for a thoughtful approach to AI adoption, emphasizing that AI should align with both organizational goals and national interests.

From this engagement, it is clear that Kenya’s journey into AI holds great promise, not only as a force for economic growth but as a tool that can elevate our position on the global stage. To fully realize this potential, we must continue to build the right infrastructure, invest in skills, and create an enabling environment for AI innovation. By collaborating across government, industry, and academia, we can ensure that AI benefits all Kenyans, enhances our economic resilience, and empowers businesses to lead with purpose and efficiency.