Kenya has unveiled a digital skills initiative designed to transform 200,000 lives across 11 counties: Busia, Elgeyo Marakwet, Garissa, Isiolo, Mandera, Marsabit, Samburu, Siaya, Tana River, Turkana, and Wajir.
The projects, led by KICTANet and the African Centre for Women in Information and Communications Technology (ACWIT), are backed by the UK Government’s Digital Access Programme (DAP).
The initiative will bridge Kenya’s digital divide, creating new pathways to jobs, resilience, and inclusion in some of the country’s most underserved regions.
KICTANet leads the Enhancing Digital Access and Community Resilience (EDACR) project in eight ASAL counties of Wajir, Mandera, Garissa, Tana River, Samburu, Turkana, Marsabit, and Isiolo by equipping communities with digital literacy, employability skills, access to financial services, and essential online safety practices.
From Digital Champions to Digital Entrepreneurs
The program builds on earlier training efforts that produced Community Digital Champions (CDCs). In this new phase, participants will advance into Community Digital Entrepreneurs (CDEs), equipped with intermediate skills in:
- Artificial intelligence literacy
- Online work and freelancing
- Digital content creation
- Agricultural digital technologies
- IT system maintenance
“Commitment, Discipline, and Growth”
Opening the AI Literacy Training Orientation held virtually, Ms Harriet Ratemo, Senior Principal of the training program, emphasized that the initiative is about more than certificates:
“This program is not about certificates alone. It’s about commitment, discipline, and growth. We want you to see yourself not just as a learner but as a digital champion, someone who uses knowledge responsibly, supports others, and contributes positively to society.”
“You Are Change Agents” – Dr. Kirori Mindo
Dr. Kirori Mindo, strategic Digital Development Advisor KICTANet highlighted the transformative role of participants:
“You are not just participants, you are change agents. Together we will use digital tools to unlock opportunity, resilience, and prosperity for your communities. At the end of this project, you will be equipped with digital, entrepreneurship, and communication skills that position you as local trainers and digital ambassadors.”
AI Teachers to Bridge Connectivity Gaps
From the British High Commission in Nairobi, Mr Charles Juma underscored the program’s innovative blended learning approach:
“We listened to your feedback from previous projects; high data costs, poor connectivity, and rigid schedules. That is why we are introducing AI teachers and avatars, allowing you to learn at your convenience, even offline. This blended approach ensures inclusivity while minimizing costs.”
AI Literacy Powered by Otermans Institute London
At the heart of the program lies an AI literacy course being delivered by Otermans Institute London, giving learners the freedom to study anytime, anywhere, and at their own pace. Designed to be fun, interactive, and highly engaging, the course empowers participants to become future leaders shaping Kenya’s Silicon Savannah.
The curriculum is structured around nine interactive lessons that introduce learners to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and its role in society:
- Understanding what AI is and why it matters
- Exploring what it means to be human in an AI world
- Defining your role as a digital citizen
- Navigating ethics and responsibility in the age of AI
- Building fair AI systems through ethics by design
- Learning how machines process and learn from data\
- Seeing AI in action across industries
- Experimenting with building solutions using AI tools
- Envisioning our shared AI future
This foundation ensures that every participant develops a clear, practical understanding of AI before advancing into specialized tracks such as digital agriculture, gig economy, creative industries, and IT technician pathways. By combining global expertise with local application, the course positions learners to thrive in Kenya’s evolving digital economy.
“For the first time in these regions, you will be learning AI from AI itself. This is a globally unique opportunity, an interactive journey where no two learners have to study the same way. Together, we are bringing AI literacy to Kenya’s Silicon Savannah, equipping thousands to become digital leaders of tomorrow,” Dev Aditya, AI in Education & Learning Expert, Otermans Institute London.
Other partners in the project include Kilimo Hakika, a sustainability-driven organization focused on advancing validated agricultural practices to improve community well-being and environmental health. Through model farms, knowledge hubs, and labs, it empowers stakeholders to engage effectively with farming communities. Kilimo will provide advanced training in Multi-Pathway Entrepreneurship Tracks.
Scaling Impact Across Kenya
By March 2026, the initiative aims to:
- Empower at least 3,000 youth with digital jobs
- Strengthen more than 7,000 VSLA members
- Reach over 154,000 people in arid, semi-arid, and refugee-hosting areas
Women, youth, persons with disabilities, and refugees are at the heart of the program, ensuring inclusive participation in Kenya’s digital transformation.
The initiative builds on the success of earlier projects, including Strengthening Digital Communities, which reached 600,000 citizens and created 6,000 digital jobs. Lessons from Mandera County, where women-led savings groups used digital platforms to access tri-border markets, highlight the transformative potential of combining digital literacy with entrepreneurship.
Aligned with National and Global Goals
The program is aligned with Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda and the UK–Kenya Strategic Partnership (2025–2030). It advances global goals on education and gender equality while embedding digital inclusion into national systems.
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