Kenya Eyes Deeper AI, Critical Minerals Partnership with India

• Kenya urged stronger collaboration with India in AI, semiconductors, and critical minerals at the AI Impact Summit 2026
• Leaders emphasized balanced AI governance and inclusive Global South innovation
• Kenya invited Indian firms to partner in lithium mining and semiconductor manufacturing

Kenya wants to expand its cooperative efforts with India through three fields, including artificial intelligence, semiconductor production and essential mineral extraction.

The Indian AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi demonstrated how South-South cooperation between Kenya and India continues to gain strength. Kenyan officials praised India’s leadership in convening the summit, noting that the discussions had advanced to establish real partnerships, which involved startups, innovators and policymakers.

During the summit, leaders highlighted the Kenya India AI partnership, emphasizing critical minerals collaboration, AI investment Africa India, digital partnership India Kenya, strategic minerals partnership, India Africa tech cooperation, and the importance of emerging tech alliances.

Shikoh Gatua, Chief Administrative Officer of Qhala, highlighted the shared strengths of Global South nations. He explained how cultural and linguistic diversity serves as an essential asset for building AI systems, which require inclusive design.

She said Kenya and India possess special abilities to create technologies which serve multiple user groups instead of creating products for a single customer base.

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Gatua explained how artificial intelligence (AI) operates as a powerful driving force which needs controlled management, because strict safety measures and responsibility standards must exist, yet they should not stop advancements and development.

The Kenyan Secretary for Information and Communication Technology Mary Kerema has invited Indian companies to work with Kenya on semiconductor production and essential mineral extraction, including lithium.

She emphasized that Kenya aims to achieve technology production independence while increasing its share of international value chain operations. She proposed that both countries should develop manufacturing systems which would allow both nations to improve their skills through collaborative projects.

The summit hosted by India from February 16 to 20 has received substantial international attendance, while its main goal is to develop artificial intelligence systems which benefit all people and promote economic growth.

The conference, which focuses on People, Planet, and Progress themes, shows how Global South nations aim to control artificial intelligence development while establishing sustainable supply chains for new technological advancements.