For a country that wants to become Africa’s artificial intelligence (AI) capital, Kenya has developed an unusual habit. It celebrates conversations as though they were investments.
On Wednesday, President William Ruto announced that he had met OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Évian-les-Bains, Haute-Savoie, France. The two discussed establishing Nairobi as the home of the first OpenAI Academy initiative in Eastern Africa, expanding AI education, and strengthening digital skills.
“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,” Ruto said on an X post after the meeting.
It is difficult to disagree with what Ruto announced on his social media pages, but equally difficult to know exactly what he announced.
The politics of grand announcements
