Principal Secretary in the State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications Stephen Isaboke during the Safaricom De{c0}dE 4.0 in Nairobi on March 31 /PERPETUA ETYANG


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The country’s youthful population and growing data ecosystem have been ranked as what will define artificial intelligence competitiveness in the global race.

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Principal Secretary in the State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Stephen Isaboke said Kenya is among the youngest and best-educated populations globally.

This, he said, is a factor positioning the country to take advantage of emerging technologies such as AI.

Speaking on Tuesday during Safaricom De{c0}dE 4.0, Isaboke said the country’s greatest strength lies in its people, particularly young innovators driving digital transformation across sectors.

“Kenya’s greatest asset is its people especially the youth. You are not the future; you are the present. Without you, there is no innovation,” he said.

From gaming and film to software development and digital content creation, young people are already shaping the country’s fast-growing creative and digital economy.

Isaboke said data will be central to unlocking this potential, describing it as the “currency of AI” and a critical resource for building locally relevant solutions.

“Data is the currency of AI. Without data, there is no value,” he said.

The PS said Kenya must invest in generating, managing and protecting its own data to fully benefit from the technology.

He called for the development of AI systems grounded in local realities, including the use of Kenyan data and indigenous languages to ensure accessibility and relevance.

As AI adoption accelerates globally, Isaboke said Kenya must avoid being left behind by strengthening its digital infrastructure and skills base, while fostering collaboration between government, industry and innovators.

He pointed to growing applications of AI in sectors such as agriculture, where farmers are using data-driven tools to predict weather patterns and improve productivity.

“With the right skills, data and infrastructure, Kenya has the capacity to build solutions not just for itself, but for the world,” he said.

As Safaricom marks 25 years of purpose-driven innovation, De{c0}dE 4.0, made of Kenya Edition emerges as a defining milestone in its evolution, underscoring the company’s central role in shaping Kenya’s digital future.

Held in Nairobi, the summit celebrates Kenya’s ingenuity, creativity, and the spirit that continues to power its fast-growing digital ecosystem.

De{c0}dE 4.0 brings together developers, engineers, innovators and industry leaders in a convergence of technical excellence and cultural expression.

The event highlights how technology is increasingly serving as a bridge connecting people, unlocking creativity and driving inclusive economic growth across sectors.

Through curated tracks and interactive engagements, the summit showcases Safaricom’s expanding technology stack and its strategic positioning as an enabler providing the digital infrastructure and platforms upon which future innovations will be built.