The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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A recent report by Microsoft highlights that Kenya is leading AI adoption in East Africa, though its usage still falls below the global average.
The Microsoft AI Economy Institute’s global study shows a growing gap in AI adoption between developed and developing nations, with countries in the Global North adopting AI at roughly twice the rate of the Global South.
Tracking generative AI use, the report found that global adoption increased by 1.2% in the second half of 2025, with about one in six people worldwide using generative AI tools by year-end.
Within Africa, some Southern (South Africa, Namibia, Botswana) and Northern (Libya, Algeria, Egypt) countries recorded higher AI adoption rates, while Western and Eastern African nations lagged behind.
Kenya’s AI usage rose from 7.8% in the first half of 2025 to 8.1% in the second half, surpassing other East African Community (EAC) members. By comparison, global AI adoption averaged 16.3%.
Other EAC countries recorded lower adoption rates in late 2025: Democratic Republic of the Congo 7.8%, Somalia 6.8%, Burundi 6.8%, Rwanda 6.3%, South Sudan 6.8%, Uganda 6.8%, and Tanzania 6.8%.
On the global stage, the United Arab Emirates led in AI adoption at 64%, followed by Singapore at 60.9% and Norway at 46.4%. The report credits early and sustained investment in digital infrastructure for these countries’ leadership.
Microsoft also notes that open-source AI tools are popular in developing nations, with China’s free-to-use chatbot DeepSeek gaining significant traction. Its lack of subscription fees makes it accessible to price-sensitive users, particularly in regions underserved by Western AI platforms.
The report further attributes the UAE’s AI dominance to focused policy measures, strong governance, and pragmatic regulations that have fostered a supportive environment for AI growth.
