Kenya ranks first globally on AI usage

Nairobi, Kenya - According to the Digital 2026 Mid-year Global Update Report, Kenya has emerged as the global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) usage. An impressive 97.5 percent of Kenyan internet users aged 16 and above are leveraging AI technology. Recent years have witnessed a surge in the adoption of AI services across various sectors in the country.

From students and individuals to businesses and employees, Kenyans are harnessing AI to boost productivity and streamline operations. Kenyan firms are also utilizing AI to automate customer support, optimize credit scoring, and enhance other business processes. Safaricom, the country's leading telecommunications company, is a prime example of this AI integration, employing the technology across platforms such as M-Pesa customer care services and financial fraud detection.

While Kenya leads the pack, other nations are not far behind. The United Arab Emirates follows with a 94.2 percent AI uptake, closely trailed by Indonesia at 93.6 percent and Egypt at 93.4 percent. Across Africa, South Africa and Nigeria also show high AI usage levels, at 89.9 percent and 89.4 percent, respectively.