Collaboration Announced Between Kenya, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Microsoft to Secure Digital Transformation in Public Services
Kenya Launches Africa Centre for Digital and AI Skilling to Modernize Public Sector
Nairobi, Kenya - The Kenya School of Government launched the Africa Centre of Competence for Digital and AI Skilling on July 30, 2025, marking a significant step towards a future-ready public sector. The initiative, a collaborative effort between the Government of Kenya, UNDP, Microsoft, and the Kenya School of Government, aims to equip public servants with digital and AI skills to thrive in the digital age.
The Centre leads the future-ready public sector initiative, which includes developing and validating a structured curriculum covering digital literacy, emerging technologies, data governance, ethical AI use, and leadership in digital transformation. The curriculum is divided into four progressive levels: Foundations, Application, Management, and Leadership, serving all levels in the public service hierarchy—from junior officers to top management.
The goal of the initiative is to train an initial cohort of 10,000 public servants, with a broader aim to eventually upskill 100,000 public sector employees across Kenya. The Centre also plans to share this expertise with at least 37 other African countries to strengthen AI capacity continent-wide.
The Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy brought policy muscle and digital governance leadership to the initiative, while Microsoft brought private sector innovation and tools to help scale it smartly and ethically. UNDP, on the other hand, brought a lens of inclusive governance and a deep commitment to building institutional trust.
Dr. Jane Imbunya, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Public Service in Kenya, emphasized the importance of a digitally skilled public service, stating that it is not a luxury but a necessity. She also highlighted that a future-ready civil service is about serving the people effectively.
The Africa Centre of Competence for Digital and AI Skilling aligns with national and continental priorities, including Kenya's Fourth Medium-Term Plan under Vision 2030, the National Digital Master Plan 2022-2032, Africa's Agenda 2063, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 16.
The initiative is part of a larger effort to rethink how public institutions can become faster, fairer, and more future-ready from the inside out. Winnie Karanu, AI National Skills Director at Microsoft, highlighted that digital transformation in the public sector requires more than just tools; it requires vision, leadership, and trust.
Madelena Monoja, Resident Representative of UNDP, stated that the initiative is about transforming how governments work and building confidence in institutions. The Centre's establishment is expected to foster better governance by empowering public servants with skills that foster institutional confidence and improved citizen trust through efficient and accountable service.
The initiative's governance is established through a project board that includes government officials, development partners like UNDP, and tech experts, emphasizing collaboration between government, international organizations, and private sector stakeholders such as Microsoft to accelerate AI integration into public service delivery.
In summary, the Africa Centre acts as the knowledge and training hub spearheading digital and AI skilling efforts that underpin Kenya’s and Africa’s vision for a modernized, agile, and technology-enabled public sector. The Centre's comprehensive, merit-based skilling program is designed to transform how governments operate, making public services faster, more efficient, inclusive, and responsive to citizen needs.
[1] Kenya School of Government Press Release, July 30, 2025. [2] UNDP Press Release, July 30, 2025. [3] Microsoft Press Release, July 30, 2025. [4] Government of Kenya Press Release, July 30, 2025. [5] Speech by Dr. Jane Imbunya at the Launch of the Africa Centre of Competence for Digital and AI Skilling, July 30, 2025.
Technology plays a crucial role in the Africa Centre for Digital and AI Skilling, as the initiative aims to equip public servants with digital and AI skills. This training is essential for the future-ready public sector, as it aligns with national and continental priorities, including Kenya's Fourth Medium-Term Plan under Vision 2030 and Africa's Agenda 2063.
The Centre also plans to expand its expertise in AI capacity to at least 37 other African countries, demonstrating the importance of technology ineducation-and-self-developmentacross the continent. Additionally, the Centre's governance emphasizes collaboration between government, international organizations, and private sector stakeholders such as Microsoft, showcasing the relevance of technology in both business and finance.
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