President William Ruto has held talks with OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman on plans that could see Nairobi become home to the first OpenAI Academy initiative in Eastern Africa.
The discussions took place on the margins of the G7 Leaders’ Summit in France and focused on expanding artificial intelligence education, strengthening digital skills and creating new opportunities for young people in the region.
If successful, the initiative would position Kenya at the centre of AI talent development in Eastern Africa and further cement Nairobi’s growing reputation as a technology and innovation hub.
Ruto said the discussions explored ways of deepening collaboration between Kenya and OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, as the country seeks to harness emerging technologies to drive economic growth and job creation.
“We explored potential collaboration through establishing Nairobi as the home of the first OpenAI Academy initiative in Eastern Africa, expanding AI education, strengthening digital skills, supporting educators and learners, and reinforcing Kenya’s position as a leading hub for AI talent and innovation,” the President said.
The Head of State noted that artificial intelligence presents a major opportunity for Africa’s youthful population and should be leveraged to create jobs and unlock innovation.
“I underscored the importance of harnessing emerging technologies to create opportunities for young people, drive innovation and ensure Africa plays a meaningful role in shaping the future digital economy,” he added.
The talks come as governments around the world race to position themselves in the rapidly growing artificial intelligence sector, which is expected to transform industries ranging from education and healthcare to finance and manufacturing.
For Kenya, landing an OpenAI Academy would be a significant milestone, potentially giving thousands of students, developers, teachers and entrepreneurs access to cutting-edge AI training and learning opportunities.
The meeting also signals growing international confidence in Kenya’s technology ecosystem, which has increasingly attracted global investors, innovators and digital firms looking to expand their footprint in Africa.