The World Bank highlights that artificial intelligence (AI) could transform global growth, potentially turning the 2030s into a booming decade. However, it warns that countries lacking digital infrastructure, AI skills, and a supportive regulatory framework risk missing out and falling behind.
With a billion young Africans entering the job market just as AI reshapes employment, the decisions made by Kenya and its neighbors in the coming years will be crucial in determining whether this moment leads to prosperity or crisis.
The June 2026 Global Economic Prospects report emphasizes the dual nature of the AI opportunity: while AI could drive significant productivity gains and stronger global growth, countries must act decisively to harness these benefits.
The report reveals a stark preparedness gap between advanced economies and emerging markets. By mid-2025, emerging and developing economies held less than a quarter of global data center capacity, with low-income countries barely contributing. Internet access remains limited, with only one in four individuals in low-income countries online by 2022.
Sub-Saharan Africa is set to experience the largest increase in its working-age population globally between 2025 and 2035, posing challenges amid slower growth and fiscal constraints. Notably, about 40% of jobs in emerging markets are exposed to AI, compared to 60% in advanced economies, indicating that while Kenya may be shielded from immediate job losses, it risks missing out on the productivity benefits of AI.
The World Bank report also points to a significant opportunity for Kenya and the EAC region in digitally deliverable services. With a strong university sector and a burgeoning tech hub in Nairobi, Kenya is well-positioned to capitalize on this growth area.
Additionally, small, localized AI solutions tailored for Kenyan conditions could benefit key sectors like agriculture and healthcare. The demand for AI-skilled workers is rising rapidly in emerging markets, yet a significant skills gap remains.
It’s time for Kenya’s universities and technical colleges to step up and bridge this gap, ensuring the nation seizes the AI opportunity and drives future growth.
