Kenyan firms adopting in-house tech solutions to spur AI jobs

Kenyan firms are increasingly building in‑house AI‑driven technology solutions, a shift that Deloitte’s analysis of 1,300 CIO100 Awards submissions says will boost demand for skilled AI talent in the country. Source: https://www.kbc.co.ke/kenyan-firms-adopting-in-house-tech-solutions-to-spur-ai-jobs/

For Kenyan corporations, the trend signals a move away from costly external vendors toward internal teams that can tailor applications, reduce turnaround time and lower overall expenses. Companies such as Sarova Hotels, Car & General and Power Learn Project are already showcasing this approach, highlighting the growing relevance of AI for large‑scale enterprises.

The Kenya angle

Corporations should start recruiting or up‑skilling staff in AI training, cybersecurity, data annotation and AI product management. Establishing a dedicated AI unit can help firms develop bespoke solutions quickly, avoid reliance on third‑party providers and position themselves competitively in regional markets. Immediate steps include mapping current business problems, defining AI‑ready use cases and launching pilot projects with internal talent.

Deloitte’s study found that 84.8 % of the award submissions plan to prioritize AI investment over the next 12 to 24 months. The data also reveal that AI now underpins 61.8 % of the projects entered, with generative AI - used for creating text, images and other content - appearing in 25.7 % of those initiatives. This rise reflects a broader African shift from external sourcing to home‑grown development, as firms seek faster, cheaper and more customized outcomes.

Arnold Ng’ang’a, Senior Manager for Consulting Services at Deloitte, explained that internal development “allows organizations to develop applications that suit them, have a quicker turnaround, save up on their costs and at the same time be able to develop desired impacts with less complexity.” The panel at the CIO Africa event, featuring leaders from Sarova Hotels, Car & General and Power Learn Project, reinforced this view, noting that the surge in internal AI projects creates new employment opportunities for graduates and mid‑career professionals.

Despite the enthusiasm, the analysis also flagged a security gap. Only 38.6 % of the surveyed firms reported having an incident‑response capability, leaving many applications vulnerable to AI‑assisted cyber attacks. Ng’ang’a warned that “the low number in terms of incident response capability opens their apps to threats from AI‑assisted attacks which are growing every day.” This underscores the need for parallel investment in cybersecurity talent and robust governance frameworks.

The adoption rate of AI has climbed from 54.8 % in the previous year’s submissions to the current level, indicating that more organizations are experimenting with the technology. However, a disparity remains between investment intentions and actual implementation. Harry Hare, Chairman of CIO Africa, noted that award judges assess whether solutions correctly identify problems, choose appropriate technologies and deliver effective results. This scrutiny highlights the importance of aligning AI projects with clear business objectives rather than pursuing technology for its own sake.

The CIO100 Awards this year attracted entries from ten African countries, including Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Tanzania, reflecting a continent‑wide momentum toward AI‑enabled innovation. Kenyan firms that successfully integrate AI into their core processes stand to gain a competitive edge not only locally but also in regional supply chains and digital markets.

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