Kenya Artificial Intelligence Accelerator Programme 2026

Applications are now open for the Kenya Artificial Intelligence Accelerator Programme 2026, a national initiative designed to identify and support high-impact artificial intelligence use cases that can strengthen public-service delivery and accelerate Kenya's green transition.

The programme is led by the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy (MICDE), the Technopolis Development Authority (TDA), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Kenya. It provides selected applicants with stage-appropriate technical resources and guidance to help develop and implement safe, responsible, and practical AI solutions.

About the Programme

The Kenya Artificial Intelligence Accelerator Programme focuses on moving promising AI ideas beyond experimentation toward real-world implementation.

Applicants are invited to submit clearly defined AI use cases that address important public-service or environmental challenges. The programme is particularly interested in solutions that can demonstrate measurable social, economic, environmental, or public-sector value.

Selected participants can receive access to AI compute resources, data preparation support, technical assistance, and responsible AI guidance appropriate to the maturity of their project.

Programme Pathways

Applicants can apply through one of two pathways.

Public-Service Delivery AI

This pathway is intended for AI solutions that can improve the delivery of government and public services.

Eligible applicants include:

• Kenyan public institutions.
• Universities and research institutions.
• Startups and innovators.

Solutions should demonstrate a clear connection to public-service delivery and identify the users or beneficiaries who will benefit from the proposed AI application.

GreenTech and Environmental AI

This pathway focuses on AI applications that support Kenya's green transition and address environmental challenges.

Eligible applicants include:

• Kenyan startups and innovators.
• Universities and research institutions.

Proposed solutions should use AI, or have a clear opportunity for AI to materially contribute, to an eligible GreenTech or environmental challenge.

Programme Benefits

Selected applicants will receive stage-appropriate support, which may include:

• Access to AI compute resources.
• Data preparation support.
• Technical assistance.
• Responsible AI guidance.
• Assessment and monitoring support.
• Opportunities to develop and strengthen high-impact AI use cases.
• Support toward practical implementation, adoption, or commercialization depending on the applicant and pathway.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be legally established or formally recognized in Kenya.
• Submit a clearly defined problem or AI use case.
• Select the pathway that best matches the proposed solution.
• Identify intended users, customers, or beneficiaries.
• Explain why artificial intelligence is appropriate for addressing the identified problem.
• Describe the expected public, environmental, social, or economic value.
• Have access to relevant data or provide a credible plan for obtaining and preparing the required data.
• Identify a responsible focal person and team.
• Be willing to participate in assessment, technical assistance, monitoring, and responsible AI reviews.
• Comply with applicable Kenyan laws and regulations, including data protection and intellectual property requirements.

Additional Requirements for Startups and Innovators

Startups and innovators applying under the GreenTech and Environmental AI pathway must also:

• Be legally registered and operating in Kenya.
• Have clearly identified founders and ownership.
• Offer a technology-enabled solution addressing an eligible GreenTech challenge.
• Demonstrate that AI already contributes, or could materially contribute, to the proposed solution.
• Have a committed core team capable of participating throughout the programme.
• Understand the intended customers, users, or beneficiaries.
• Have a prototype or minimum viable solution.
• Have access to the data required for development and testing, or a credible plan to obtain it.
• Have relevant approvals or licences, where applicable, or a credible compliance plan.
• Maintain basic corporate governance and accountability arrangements.

Who Can Apply?

The programme is designed for organizations and teams working on practical AI solutions rather than individuals applying independently.

Eligible applicant categories include:

• National and county public institutions.
• Kenyan universities.
• Research and development institutions.
• Registered Kenyan startups.
• Kenyan innovators.

Areas of Focus

The accelerator supports AI use cases capable of producing meaningful impact in areas connected to:

• Public-service delivery.
• Government operations.
• Environmental sustainability.
• Green technology.
• Climate-related challenges.
• Social development.
• Economic development.
• Other high-impact applications aligned with the programme pathways.

Application Requirements

Applicants should be prepared to provide information about:

• The organization or institution.
• The proposed AI use case.
• The problem being addressed.
• Intended users, customers, or beneficiaries.
• Expected impact.
• Available data and data-access plans.
• Project team and responsible focal point.
• Current stage of development.
• Technical and implementation requirements.
• Relevant regulatory, licensing, data-protection, and intellectual-property considerations.

How to Apply

To apply for the Kenya Artificial Intelligence Accelerator Programme 2026:

1. Review the official eligibility requirements.
2. Determine whether your organization qualifies for the Public-Service Delivery AI or GreenTech & Environmental AI pathway.
3. Develop a clear description of the AI problem or use case.
4. Identify the intended users or beneficiaries and expected impact.
5. Prepare information about your data, team, solution maturity, and implementation plans.
6. Complete the online application through the official programme portal.
7. Submit the application before the deadline.

Applications are submitted through the official Kenya AI Accelerator Programme portal.