Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson has announced a long-term commitment to hosting AI Everything Kenya x Gitex Kenya. Speaking at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, the Governor pledged leadership and support for the event, positioning Nairobi as a primary hub for artificial intelligence and technological innovation in the region.
Addressing delegates at the AI EVERYTHING EXPO inauguration ceremony today (20 May) – where thousands of visitors attended on the opening morning – Governor Sakaja outlined Nairobi’s ambition to become a permanent participant in the global GITEX network – the world’s largest tech and AI event network.
“I want to assure you of 100 percent dedication, and I am personally going to lead it,” said Governor Sakaja. “We are willing to collaborate and to partner with AI EVERYTHING KENYA X GITEX KENYA beyond the current edition. We are prepared to become permanent participants in this global network. This will not be the first time.”
Governor Sakaja grounded his commitment in Nairobi’s advancement and the need for increased investment in AI in the city. The City noted the need for investment in AI and digital adoption from intelligent traffic systems and AI-enabled air quality monitoring to NFC-powered school meals reaching 326,000 children and a unified digital business permit that has driven city revenue up 55 percent in three years. He cited M-Pesa as the foundation of a city that has learned to trust technology ahead of almost any other African urban centre.
“As governor of this city, I take a very pragmatic approach to artificial intelligence,” he added. “AI serves as a catalyst and facilitator in developing the Nairobi we envision a city characterised by order, dignity, hope, and opportunity for all. Our people have learned to trust technology, and once you have trusted technology with sending money through M-Pesa, uptake on anything else is much easier.”
The Governor also called on startups present to develop solutions ready for direct deployment in Nairobi, pledging city investment and investor connectivity in return: “To the startups here today, please develop solutions that are ready for deployment in our capital city. We will invest in them. Please view Nairobi as a significant market with tangible demand across urban systems and the capacity to take up new technology faster than anywhere else on the continent.”
AI EVERYTHING KENYA X GITEX KENYA is organised by inD, the global organiser of GITEX events, in collaboration with the Office of the Special Envoy on Technology of the Republic of Kenya. H.E. Ambassador Philip Thigo, Special Envoy for Technology in the Government of Kenya – a central architect of Kenya’s AI investment agenda – set the broader national context in his own address to delegates.
“Africa’s role in AI must be recognized as an investment first agenda. AI is not only about ICTs AI is literally AI everything,” said H.E. Ambassador Thigo. “The continent still lags behind in AI infrastructure, connectivity, and energy, but we possess everything around artificial intelligence from mine to model: whether it is green minerals, data, talent, emerging compute infrastructure, or the opportunity to create new industries. The Silicon Savanna has come of age and Africa is open for business, open for investment, and ready to shape the future of artificial intelligence.”
Eng. John Tanui, Principal Secretary, Kenyan Ministry of ICT and the Digital Economy, also addressed delegates, reinforcing Nairobi’s commitment with a national infrastructure perspective: “Many industrial revolutions have come in the past, and Africa and Kenya have not been at the centre of them. But this is happening at a time when our continent is emerging as a key destination for investment and as the region hosting the global talent that will drive the next industrial revolution.”
“We have laid the necessary infrastructure as a nation: connectivity to the global network through our submarine cables, cross-border links to Ethiopia, Djibouti, Uganda, and Tanzania, and more than 22,000 government services available to citizens 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
Running until tomorrow (21 May), AI EVERYTHING KENYA X GITEX KENYA features 280-plus enterprises and startups, including 60 percent first-time exhibitors at a B2B tech event in Kenya, while gathering thousands of tech executives from 75 countries, including 120 expert speakers alongside 100 investors managing US$50 billion in assets under management.
Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of the global organiser of GITEX, said: “The long-term cohesive commitment from Nairobi reflects the conviction, ambition and execution mindset of a city and country determined to lead Africa’s intelligent economy. Nairobi has already transformed global fintech and digital adoption through bold innovation, and today it stands at the forefront of Africa’s AI future, with the talent, policy momentum and entrepreneurial energy to become one of the world’s most exciting AI growth capitals. We are in great anticipation of the meaningful impact Kenya can bring to the new AI world order.”
