At the Kenya Industrialization Conference held at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC), key stakeholders in the manufacturing sector came together to discuss the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced technologies in shaping Kenya’s industrial future. The event, sponsored by the Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry, served as a platform to explore how AI can revolutionize production lines, optimize supply chains, and enhance product quality.
Hitesh Mediratta, Vice Chairperson of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), emphasized the pivotal role AI will play in making Kenya a competitive manufacturing hub in the global market. He outlined KAM’s commitment to fostering an AI-ready workforce through partnerships with the government and academia, aiming to position Kenya as a leader in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The theme of the conference, “Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Green Industrialization to Accelerate Africa’s Structural Transformation,” underscored the importance of integrating AI and sustainable practices to accelerate growth in the manufacturing sector. Discussions focused on how local industries can adopt AI-driven solutions to enhance efficiency and innovation, contributing to the broader economic growth of the nation.
Despite the promising potential of AI, the use of this technology in Kenya’s manufacturing sector remains limited. The conference highlighted the need for strategic public-private partnerships to advance AI education, skills development, and implementation. Such collaborations are seen as crucial in enabling local manufacturers to harness AI’s full potential and enhance their competitiveness.
Funding support was also identified as a critical factor for helping local manufacturers and startups adopt AI in their value chains. The speakers emphasized that adequate financial backing is necessary to empower these businesses to invest in technology, improve productivity, and meet global standards.
Kenya’s long-term vision is to increase the manufacturing sector’s contribution to the national GDP to 20 percent by 2030. By embracing AI and aligning with global trends in industrial innovation, Kenya aims to become a technology-driven manufacturing leader on the continent, driving both economic growth and sustainable development.
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