Kenya’s Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy has officially launched the Kenya Artificial Intelligence for Disability Project during the closing ceremony of the Connected Africa Summit 2026, held in Nairobi. The project is designed to bridge the digital divide for hundreds of citizens with disabilities, and has been developed in collaboration with the Kenya Institute for Special Education, Qhala, Assistive Technologies for Disability Trust, InABLE, and Huawei, with a focus on developing artificial intelligence-driven hardware and software solutions tailored to the real, lived challenges faced by persons with disabilities in Kenya and across the wider African region. The launch brought together policymakers, disability experts, innovation leaders, and global technology partners under a shared framework aimed at building locally relevant and scalable solutions through artificial intelligence.
Mary Kerema, who leads on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies within the Kenyan government, articulated the vision of the initiative during the announcement, saying that the partners were not merely identifying barriers but co-creating practical, scalable hardware and software solutions that expand access, restore dignity, and unlock opportunity. That vision was echoed by Dr. Norman Kiogora, Director of the Kenya Institute for Special Education, who drew a distinction between how most people and persons with disabilities experience technology. Dr. Kiogora noted that to most people, technology makes things easier, but for persons with disabilities, it makes things possible, and highlighted the strategic importance of having a global technology leader like Huawei involved in accelerating the development of artificial intelligence-driven assistive tools and inclusive education resources. Adam Lane, Huawei Kenya’s Director for Policy and Partnerships, added that the arrival of artificial intelligence had made it significantly more cost-effective to develop hardware and software responsive to the unique needs of persons with disabilities, and that the project would help this community, along with their families and caregivers, secure employment and participate more fully in society.
The project will serve as an incubator to scale student-led innovations into sustainable, market-ready solutions, building upon the Artificial Intelligence for Special Needs Innovation Challenge held in 2024, with students who participated in the related hackathon present at the launch and commended for their contributions, and with continued support to be provided to help refine and scale these innovations into impactful real-world applications. Qhala chief executive Dr. Shikoh Gitau described the initiative as a direct response to a long-standing problem in the technology industry, arguing that inclusion had for too long been treated as an afterthought in technology design and that the project changes that narrative by building an ecosystem where artificial intelligence works for everyone from the outset. Bernard Chiira, Founder and Chief Executive of Assistive Technologies for Disability Trust, similarly described well-designed technology as the greatest equaliser and expressed pride in contributing to what he characterised as a meaningful public-private partnership for a more equitable Kenya.
Stakeholders representing 12 African countries were present at the launch during the closing ceremony of the Connected Africa Summit, highlighting a growing continental commitment to ensuring that artificial intelligence is accessible, inclusive, and capable of unlocking opportunities for all, particularly persons with disabilities. The initiative will focus on enhancing digital skills, supporting innovation ecosystems, and enabling meaningful participation in the digital economy for underserved communities, with the project ultimately positioned as a blueprint for inclusive innovation and a more equitable digital future across Africa.
Follow the SPIN IDG WhatsApp Channel for updates across the Smart Pakistan Insights Network covering all of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.
