Kenya has been ranked first globally in artificial intelligence (AI), showing the growing adoption of AI among internet users in the country.
According to the Digital 2026 Mid-Year Global Update Report, 97.5 % of internet users aged 16 and above actively engage with AI tools.
This achievement places the country ahead of global nations like the UAE, Indonesia and Egypt, as Kenya beats the heart of Africa’s digital revolution.
The use of AI is primarily used by learners, individuals, companies and employees to enhance work and productivity. The findings reveal a striking contrast with the global average, as the United Arab Emirates ranked second globally with a figure of 94.2%, followed by Indonesia at 93.6%and Egypt 93.4%.
AI has woven into daily business with firms such as Safaricom is adopting AI usage, with the technology being used across its platforms including M-Pesa, customer care services and financial fraud detection which has ensured efficiency and security for millions of users.
The AI adoption is now higher than that of search engines, with over 4 billion users worldwide are using AI monthly, as it is no longer a niche tool but a mainstream necessity.