When the Global AI Summit convened in Kigali last week, it wasn’t just another tech gathering—it was Africa’s declaration of intent to lead the AI age.

With $2.9 trillion (Ksh 377 trillion) in projected economic value on the table, over 30 countries signed the Africa Declaration on Artificial Intelligence, aligning behind a unified vision for ethical, inclusive, and sovereign AI. Kenya, curiously, did not.

For a country long celebrated as a digital trailblazer—home to Konza Technopolis, mobile money innovation, and AI-powered agri-tech startups—Kenya’s absence from the Declaration was both surprising and consequential. It raised a question too important to ignore: Was this a strategic delay or a missed opportunity?

Insiders suggest Kenya’s non-signature reflects a deliberate pause, not rejection.

With the country’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2025–2030) still undergoing finalisation, the government may have chosen not to sign until its own frameworks are clearly defined. Policy coherence matters. But in diplomacy, timing is equally crucial.

At a moment when the continent was rallying around collective ambition, Kenya’s silence created uncertainty.

The Kigali summit wasn’t only about declarations—it was about leadership. Countries like Rwanda, Ghana, Senegal, and Egypt used the moment to project intent, influence, and direction. Signing the Declaration was about more than symbolism.  It was a seat at the table where Africa’s AI governance rules are being shaped. Kenya’s absence from that table is already raising questions about its regional commitment. Another layer to this story lies in the growing complexity of global AI geopolitics. Kenya is rapidly becoming a strategic hub for tech giants. From Google’s AI research centre in Nairobi to expanding cloud infrastructure from Microsoft and Amazon, Kenya is at the intersection of powerful global interests.

In this context, aligning with a continental declaration—especially one calling for data sovereignty and African-first priorities—may have raised questions internally about flexibility and future partnerships.

Amos Kiptoo Kosgei, the Head of ICT in the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, noted that Kenya’s position on the declaration is “still undergoing inter-ministerial review,” and that “alignment with national development plans must take precedence.” While understandable, the lack of public communication left a vacuum filled with speculation and concern.

The possibility of bureaucratic delay also cannot be ruled out. Despite a high-level delegation in Kigali—including the Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, PS John Tanui, and ICT officials—final authorisation to sign may not have been in place. If the decision came down to administrative timing, it highlights a deeper issue: the need for institutional agility as digital governance becomes a national priority.

But Kenya’s decision not to sign does carry risk. First, it may signal indecision at a time when clarity is needed. In a space where perception shapes influence, other countries are stepping up to define Africa’s AI future—without Kenya at the helm.

Second, the move weakens Kenya’s influence in regional AI standard-setting. The Africa Declaration sets the stage for shared infrastructure, joint investments, and policy coordination. By standing back, Kenya risks being left out of foundational conversations.

Third, the absence raises concern domestically. In a nation where AI is already transforming sectors—from agriculture to education—there’s growing public interest in how AI will be governed, funded, and localized. Without clarity, momentum can erode. Yet, Kenya’s position in Africa’s AI ecosystem remains powerful. As home to Africa’s only Google AI Research Centre, a thriving innovation culture, and one of the continent’s most connected youth populations, Kenya is well positioned to lead.

AI is already reshaping lives here: Apollo Agriculture – the commercial farming platform – helps farmers optimise yields using machine learning; Ilara Health delivers affordable diagnostics to underserved clinics; and Coding with Kids in Kibera is nurturing future AI talent from the grassroots.

But innovation must be matched with leadership. The Africa Declaration on Artificial Intelligence represents a shared vision—one that puts African voices, data, and values at the centre of AI development. It’s a framework for collaboration, infrastructure sharing, and inclusive growth. Kenya’s abstention need not be final—but the clock is ticking.

The government must move swiftly to implement the National AI Strategy, embedding ethics, equity, and sustainability at its core. Stakeholders across civil society, academia, youths and private industry must be engaged—not just in consultation, but in implementation. Public communication must improve. The future of AI in Kenya cannot be crafted behind closed doors.

Kenya still has the chance to sign the Declaration—with confidence and clarity. Doing so would signal to the continent, and the world, that Kenya is not just a consumer of AI but a co-author of its rules. That we are not watching history unfold—we are shaping it.

As Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbé aptly warned during the summit, “We must not build an AI Africa for the few—but one that works for the many.”

Kenya must not just echo this call—it must lead it. The AI era will not wait. And history rarely remembers those who arrived late to the table.

The Writer is a Machine Learning Researcher and Technology Policy Analyst