Kenya has introduced a new initiative aimed at using artificial intelligence to improve access to digital services for people with disabilities.
The programme, known as the AI for Disability Project, was launched at the closing ceremony of the Connected Africa Summit 2026 in Nairobi. It supports commitments made by African leaders to build more inclusive digital systems across the continent.
The project is led by Kenya’s Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, working with several partners. These include the Kenya Institute of Special Education, assistive technology group inABLE, the Assistive Technologies for Disability Trust, local technology firm Qhala, and Huawei.
Together, they aim to design and deliver tools that help people with disabilities access education, jobs, and digital services more easily.
Mary Kerema, a senior official at the ministry, said the initiative marks a shift in how inclusion is approached. Instead of adding accessibility features later, the government plans to build systems that are inclusive from the start.
The project will use national infrastructure such as the Konza Technopolis Data Centre, along with a growing network of digital hubs across the country. This is expected to support the development and testing of assistive technologies at scale.
Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for ICT, William Kabogo, said African countries must take an active role in shaping how new technologies are used. He urged governments to move beyond policy discussions and focus on real implementation.
The initiative also reflects wider goals set during the summit, including expanding digital skills, strengthening AI capacity, and ensuring that technology benefits young people, women, and underserved communities.
Irene Mbari-Kirika, founder of inABLE, said the project addresses long-standing barriers faced by people with disabilities. She noted that many have been left out of the digital economy because systems were not designed with their needs in mind.
By focusing on inclusive technology, the project aims to unlock new opportunities and help more people take part in economic and social life.
The AI for Disability Project forms part of Kenya’s national artificial intelligence strategy and is one of the first major programmes to come out of renewed efforts to turn digital policy into action.
