Sustainability insights from Kenya’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2025–2030)

The adoption of Kenya’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2025–2030) (Strategy) aims to position Kenya as the continent’s leading AI hub, cementing its tech leader status and ensuring much needed development in the country. AI tools are an important driver of change and present vast opportunities in diverse sectors including agriculture, healthcare, education and finance. However, caution is necessary as when implemented without a clear framework AI may present economic, social and environmental risks.

The Strategy will be implemented over a five-year period from 2025 – 2030 through a phased approach. The initial phase will focus on policy development and strengthening institutional capacity, Implementation will then progress towards broader deployment and scaling, with the overall objective of positioning Kenya as a competitive and responsible AI hub. This alert examines the extent to which the Strategy seeks to ensure that AI development and deployment are equitable, ethical, and inclusive, taking into account not only the economic potential but also environmental and social dimensions, in order to maximize opportunities and minimize risks.

At the seventh session of the United Nations (UN) Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) held from 8–12 December 2025, member states adopted the first-ever UN resolution on the environmental sustainability of AI. Kenya was a chief architect of this resolution reflecting national concern about the potential long-term environmental impacts of AI systems, such as large language models and energy-intensive data centers, on it’s environment and natural resources.

To address the environmental challenges associated with AI, the Strategy calls for investment in renewable-powered data centres and water-efficient cooling systems. The Strategy further recommends mobilising ESG-aligned capital and climate-conscious financing, while encouraging innovation through the development of localised and efficient AI models that reduce environmental impact and strengthen the country’s position as a hub for responsible technology. .

The Strategy requires corporations to operate within a robust legal and regulatory framework that includes reporting on energy use, water consumption and emissions. These requirements are guided by the Strategy’s principles of environmental sustainability and energy efficiency, that demand AI systems be developed in a way that protects natural resources and maintains national interests.

Social dimensions of AI development and deployment

The Strategy frames sustainability in AI adoption as encompassing not only environmental considerations but also equity, ethics and inclusivity. A central goal is to promote human-centric, safe and inclusive AI solutions by advancing mandatory ethical impact assessments for AI technologies; updating and creating guidelines for accountable public sector AI procurement and deployment; developing a national ethical framework that defines AI rights and principles; establishing sector-specific ethical standards for AI development and use; and putting in place accessible complaints and redress mechanisms to protect citizens’ rights.

Inclusive design is prioritised in the Strategy through the advancement of bias-aware data practices, gender and disability mainstreaming, and the development of AI solutions tailored to local contexts, languages and societal needs, grounded in Kenyan values and indigenous knowledge, particularly in healthcare, agriculture and public service delivery for underserved communities. These efforts will be be supported by the maintenance of public repositories of ethical AI use cases and best practices that guide AI development and deployment.

The Strategy addresses AI-driven labour disruptions by advancing talent development, upskilling, reskilling, public AI literacy and training officials on ethical and inclusive AI use. It also addresses key governance concerns that focus on ethical oversight, data sovereignty, impact assessments, accountability and safeguards against misinformation, deepfakes and data colonialism. This progress will be measured through reduced harmful AI incidents and greater inclusion of women, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups. Achievement of the strategy’s goals requires corporations’ alignment with national values through transparent reporting and oversight thus ensuring that AI is safe, inclusive and beneficial.

Conclusion

The Strategy makes positive momentum towards the achievement and integration of environmental sustainability, ethical governance, and equity within Kenya’s AI agenda. It is fundamental to note, however, that these ambitions can only be realised through deliberate action, strong coordination, and effective implementation. Whereas AI offers substantial benefits, it also poses significant risks, including environmental strain from resource-intensive systems, widening inequalities, ethical lapses, and potential job disruptions. Kenya’s phased implementation approach must therefore prioritise environmental and social considerations to ensure sustainable AI, guided by the country’s context, local needs, and regional and international best practices. Importantly, the Strategy should include clear timelines specifying when each goal is expected to be achieved within the implementation period.