NAIROBI, May 1 (Xinhua) -- The Kenyan government and industry partners, including Chinese telecommunications firm Huawei, on Thursday launched the Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Disability Project to promote inclusive digital transformation across the country.
Launched at the conclusion of the Connected Africa Summit 2026 in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, the project aims to ensure that persons with disabilities are placed at the center of efforts to spur growth in the digital economy.
William Kabogo Gitau, cabinet secretary for information, communications, and the digital economy, said that through this initiative, partners will design and deploy assistive technologies to ensure persons with disabilities benefit from the digital transformation agenda.
"This initiative is part of our commitment to ensuring that every Kenyan has an opportunity to participate in the digital economy, whether through innovation, employment, or entrepreneurship," Kabogo said.
The project brings together a coalition of public and private sector partners, innovators, and technology experts to address real-life challenges faced by persons with disabilities, said Mary Kerema, secretary of ICT, e-government, and digital economy in the Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy.
She noted that for too long, persons with disabilities have been excluded from the digital economy, while the new initiative will leverage co-creation and innovation to secure an inclusive digital future.
Adam Lane, director of policy and partnerships at Huawei Kenya, said the telecoms firm, through its flagship Tech4All initiative, aims to ensure that technology serves humanity regardless of physical or mental abilities.
Lane noted that disability inclusion has become a mainstream priority in both the public and private sectors, adding that AI offers an opportunity to create highly customized tools that empower persons with different types of disabilities.
According to Lane, Huawei has partnered with the Kenyan stakeholders to implement a program that promotes access to education, jobs, and income opportunities for persons with disabilities. ■