Kenya has launched a new national initiative aimed at improving digital inclusion and creating more opportunities for persons with disabilities through Artificial Intelligence and assistive technology.
The Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy officially launched the Kenya AI for Disability Project during the closing ceremony of the Connected Africa Summit 2026 in Nairobi. The project brings together the Kenya Institute for Special Education (KISE), Qhala, Assistive Technologies for Disability Trust (AT4D), InABLE and Huawei to develop AI-driven hardware and software solutions designed to address challenges faced by persons with disabilities.
The initiative is expected to play a role in reducing the digital divide and improving access to education, employment and participation in the digital economy for underserved communities. It also signals a shift in how governments and technology partners across Africa are approaching digital transformation, with inclusion becoming part of the design process rather than an afterthought.
Government officials and technology leaders involved in the project said the partnership will focus on creating practical and scalable solutions that directly respond to the daily realities faced by persons with disabilities.
Mary Kerema, who leads AI and Emerging Technologies in the Government, said the project is not only about identifying barriers but about building solutions that can improve lives. “Together, we are not merely identifying barriers we are co-creating practical, scalable hardware and software solutions that expand access, restore dignity and unlock opportunity,” she said during the launch.
The Kenya AI for Disability Project is also expected to strengthen the country’s innovation ecosystem by supporting local talent and helping student-led ideas become market-ready solutions. Students who participated in the AI for Disability Hackathon in 2024 attended the launch and were recognized for developing technology solutions aimed at solving real-world challenges. Organizers confirmed that continued support will be provided to help refine and scale their innovations.
Building Inclusive Technology From the Start
Stakeholders say one of the biggest strengths of the initiative is the combination of government support, private sector involvement, disability experts and global technology partners working together on the same goal.
Dr. Norman Kiogora, Director of KISE, described technology as essential for persons with disabilities. “To most people, technology makes things easy; but for persons with disabilities, it makes things possible,” he said.
He added that the involvement of Huawei could accelerate the development of AI-driven assistive tools and improve inclusive education efforts in Kenya.
Huawei Kenya’s Director for Policy and Partnerships, Adam Lane, said advances in AI have significantly reduced the cost of developing responsive technologies tailored to different needs. “The advent of AI has made it significantly more cost-effective to develop hardware and software that is responsive to the unique needs of persons with disabilities,” Lane explained.
He said the project would help develop AI-powered solutions that can support persons with disabilities, their families and caregivers while also improving access to employment opportunities. “This would go a long way in enabling them to secure employment and thrive in society,” he added.
Qhala CEO Dr. Shikoh Gitau said the project aims to change how technology is designed in Africa. “For too long, inclusion has been an afterthought in technology design; this project changes that narrative,” she said.
Dr. Gitau said the partnership creates an ecosystem where AI is designed to work for everyone from the beginning. She added that Africa’s digital future should be built in a way that ensures no one is excluded.
A Wider African Push for Inclusive Innovation
The launch attracted stakeholders from 12 African countries, reflecting growing continental interest in making AI accessible and inclusive.
Bernard Chiira, Founder and CEO of AT4D, said technology can become “the greatest equalizer” when designed with inclusion in mind. He noted that the new project builds on the AI for Special Needs Innovation Challenge launched in 2024 and strengthens efforts to develop assistive technology solutions for a more equitable society.
The initiative will also focus on improving digital skills and supporting innovation ecosystems that can create sustainable businesses and long-term social impact. Organizers believe the project could become a model for how African countries use AI to solve local challenges while ensuring vulnerable communities are included in the digital economy.
As Kenya continues positioning itself as a technology and innovation hub, the Kenya AI for Disability Project highlights how AI can move beyond automation and efficiency to address social inclusion and equal access to opportunity.
Through collaboration between government institutions, technology companies, educators, innovators and development partners, the initiative is laying the foundation for a more inclusive digital future not only for Kenya but for the wider African region.
