Italy is doubling down on Africa’s digital future, and Kenya is stepping up as a key partner.
On Tuesday, Italian Undersecretary for Business Fausta Bergamotto led a high-level mission to Nairobi to expand bilateral cooperation in tech, digital infrastructure, and artificial intelligence. The visit culminated in Kenya officially joining the governance board of the upcoming AI Hub for Sustainable Development, which will launch in Rome on June 20.
This new initiative, backed by the United Nations Development Programme and the European Commission, will link African startups to global AI firms—part of Italy’s larger Mattei Plan to drive sustainable development across Africa.
Tech, Talks, and Ties
Bergamotto, alongside Italy’s Ambassador to Kenya Roberto Natali, met with a lineup of Kenyan innovation leaders, including Ambassador Philip Thigo, the country’s Special Envoy for Technology. The discussions centered on building joint digital capacity and pushing forward sustainable development goals.
“Italy sees Kenya as a digital powerhouse in the making,” said Bergamotto, praising the country’s strong submarine cable links, growing data center network, and vibrant startup scene. “Kenya has everything it takes to become a regional compute hub.”
Bridging the Digital Divide
At the Compute Dialogue in Nairobi, Bergamotto spotlighted a stark contrast: while Africa accounts for 17% of the world’s population, it holds just 1% of global data center capacity. And only 5% of African data scientists have access to proper computational tools.
Italy’s response? Backing the AI Hub for Sustainable Development to help close that gap—starting by connecting talent and tech across borders.
Groundwork and Growth
As part of her visit, Bergamotto toured the Italian-funded E4Impact incubation center, where she engaged with 20 local startups and innovation groups, including ASSEK and ACIH. She also stopped by a construction site led by Italian firm ICM Group and visited Konza Smart City, Kenya’s flagship tech metropolis, underscoring Italy’s commitment to sustainable urban planning.
Kenya Gets a Seat at the Table
Kenya’s agreement to co-govern the AI Hub signals deeper collaboration between the two nations and positions the country as a key player in shaping Africa’s digital future.
On the same day in Bologna, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola praised Italy’s Mattei Plan as a potential model for the entire EU. And in that vision, Kenya isn’t just a partner—it’s a priority.
What’s Next?
This mission is part of Italy’s broader strategy to forge long-term, development-focused partnerships across Africa—centered on innovation, digital growth, and shared prosperity. With the AI Hub set to launch in June, the groundwork for a new era of global AI cooperation is well underway.
