A coalition of leading Kenyan technology organizations has unveiled the “1% Cloud and AI Lab,” a co-creation hub designed to nurture Africa’s next wave of innovators in cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI). The initiative brings together multiple partners to provide a collaborative environment where developers, AI scientists, and entrepreneurs can design, test, and launch disruptive solutions tailored for African markets.
The Lab’s mission is ambitious create one million direct digital jobs by 2030 and millions more indirectly while positioning Africa as a global innovation hub. Its projects are aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on critical sectors such as poverty alleviation, agriculture, healthcare, education, and financial inclusion.
With over a third of Kenyans living below the poverty line, the Lab supports AI-driven projects that expand economic opportunities and empower small businesses. Agriculture, which employs more than 40% of the population, is a core area of focus, with initiatives such as AI-enabled market intelligence, livestock and crop health diagnostics, and farmer knowledge hubs aimed at increasing productivity and profitability.
In the fintech space, the Lab promotes AI applications in customer onboarding, fraud detection, and robo-advisory services, while also fostering innovation in manufacturing, aviation, digital commerce, and informal retail.
A unique feature of the initiative is its model of democratizing digital infrastructure. Many Kenyan startups struggle with the high costs of major cloud services. To address this, the Lab offers locally hosted high-performance computing clusters and GPU nodes, with flexible, pay-as-you-go pricing in local currency making cutting-edge technology more accessible.
The Lab fosters collaboration between startups and established corporates, encouraging open innovation and co-creation. It also supports grassroots engagement, prioritizing skills development for underrepresented groups, including women graduates. By bridging the gap between academic learning and practical skills, it provides junior developers with hands-on experience in real-world projects.
By combining affordable cloud access, local AI expertise, and inclusive entrepreneurship, the 1% Cloud and AI Lab aims to unlock a wave of solutions that address pressing societal needs. With its focus on data sovereignty, sustainable innovation, and community-driven growth, the initiative could help Kenya lead Africa’s AI and cloud revolution, transforming the continent’s digital future.
