Kenya Leads Global AI Adoption with Nearly All Online Adults Using AI Tools Monthly

A new global report, "Digital 2026 Mid-Year Global Update Report" by DataReportal, in partnership with We Are Social and Manochi, reveals that Kenya has the highest rate of AI tool adoption worldwide. An astounding 97.5 percent of surveyed internet users in Kenya reported using at least one AI tool in the past month, surpassing countries like the UAE and Indonesia, and significantly outperforming major Western economies such as the United States and the United Kingdom.

This high adoption rate in Kenya reflects a broader global trend of increasing AI usage, with an estimated 4.02 billion adults globally now using some form of AI monthly. The report notes that this includes AI tools integrated into common software like Microsoft Office and Google Workspace, as well as standalone platforms like ChatGPT. The authors also suggest that lower- and middle-income countries, often outside the primary survey scope, might have even higher AI usage rates.

Kenya's leadership in AI adoption comes at a crucial time for its AI governance framework. The country recently concluded public consultations on its draft Artificial Intelligence and Other Emerging Technologies Policy 2026, which builds upon the National AI Strategy 2025-2030. This policy proposes a comprehensive governance structure, including a National AI and Other Emerging Technologies Steering Committee, a new regulatory council, a Kenya AI Safety Institute, and a National African Languages and Voice Programme aimed at developing AI systems for local languages.

This rapid adoption underscores the urgency for Kenyan policymakers to finalize and implement the proposed governance architecture, from safety institutes to sector-specific standards. The report, while highlighting usage, also cautions that these figures measure adoption rather than depth of engagement, with "finding information" being the primary reason for AI tool use globally. Nevertheless, Kenya's proactive approach to both adoption and governance positions it as a significant player in the global AI landscape.