Days before his state visit to the United States, Kenya President William Ruto, emphasized his country’s digital economy and its plans for technological growth.
On May 20, Ruto arrived in Atlanta to start his visit to the United States. His trip highlights the deepening ties between the two nations, including their collaboration on technology, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure. As part of Ruto’s vision to create a “Silicon Savannah,” Kenya has rapidly transformed into a leading tech hub in Africa.
The tech sector in Kenya employs over 1 million people, driving innovation and economic growth. Ruto’s administration prioritizes expanding Kenya’s digital infrastructure.
One of his foremost initiatives is the development of a digital economy to drive growth across Kenya. “We believe [technology] is where the future jobs are, that is where the future of commerce is going to be transacted,” Ruto said.
Meg Whitman, U.S. ambassador to Kenya and former chief executive of Hewlett Packard, agreed that the future of Kenya’s digital economic sector is bright. Reflecting on her corporate experience, she said, “If I knew what I know now, I would be thinking of how Hewlett Packard going to invest much more heavily in Africa, and the destination would be Kenya.”
The United States has been a steadfast partner in Kenya’s technological advancement. In November, the United States and Kenya held their third Cyber & Digital Dialogue in Nairobi, Kenya, bringing together government leaders from both countries to discuss creating a “cyber future that is defensible and resilient,” and aligned with their shared values.
This diplomatic dialogue is crucial, as Nairobi saw a 25% surge in cyberattacks last year, making clear the importance of cybersecurity. In a recent speech, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted the importance of technology as an “engine of historic possibility — for our economies, for our democracies, for our people, for our planet.”
Private-sector investment in Kenya has increased in response to its thriving tech ecosystem, encouraged by close partnership with the United States, including Ambassador Whitman’s road shows, which included President Ruto joining her in Silicon Valley last fall. Major U.S. technology companies such as Google and Microsoft have established campuses in Nairobi, hiring thousands of Kenyans.
Cisco launched a Country Digital Acceleration program with Kenya, in support of the country’s digital masterplan, training over 130,000 Kenyans. In collaboration with the Government of Kenya and the University of Nairobi, Cisco in April launched its Cybersecurity Training and Experience Centre in Kenya, the first on the African continent.
The centre is supporting the East African digital ecosystem, providing critical cybersecurity skills for future tech leaders. The companies’ investments are not just in infrastructure, but also foster local talent and innovation.
Ruto hopes to expand these investments and business opportunities during his visit. He has worked to expand these investments and business opportunities during past visits.
The Kenyan President’s previous visits to the U.S. included meetings with tech executives, further strengthening the nations’ ties. In Atlanta, Ruto met with business leaders and strengthened partnerships in technology and innovation.
“The U.S. is a great partner of Kenya,” Ruto told the Harvard students. “It is actually our single largest trading partner. It is a relationship we have built over many years.”
