Building AI capacity in the Kenyan public sector

The challenge

The Regional Centre of Competence (RCoC) for Digital and AI Skilling is a new initiative led by the Government of Kenya, in close collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Microsoft. Piloted in Nairobi, the RCoC aims to build the infrastructure needed to scale digital and emerging technology capabilities across Africa’s public sector workforce.

As part of this initiative, the RCoC seeks to design training programmes to enhance digital and AI competencies, improve service delivery, and foster a culture of innovation in government. To support this work, Oxford Insights was commissioned, alongside our partners at Apolitical, to conduct a Training Needs Assessment (TNA) of Kenyan civil servants. The assessment would provide a baseline understanding of existing digital, data, and AI skills, highlight areas for development, and inform the design of tailored skilling programmes aligned with the RCoC’s objectives.

Our approach

We supported the development of a Training Needs Assessment to build AI and digital skills among Kenyan civil servants. Our process involved four key steps:

1. Identifying cohorts and key skills

   We mapped Kenyan civil servants into four cohorts based on their expertise and responsibilities: Leaders, ICT Leaders, Digital Implementers, and Users. For each group, we identified the core digital and AI-related skills required to support government innovation.

2. Designing an evaluation matrix and discussion guide

   We created an evaluation framework to measure current versus desired skill levels across cohorts. Skills were assessed on a Red-Amber-Green (RAG) basis and categorised into three proficiency levels:
   • Foundational: Broad understanding and the ability to perform basic tasks.
   • Proficient: Solid knowledge enabling the execution of more complex tasks and the ability to guide others.
   • Expert: In-depth expertise, the ability to apply tools and methods effectively, integrate practices across the organisation, and mentor others. We also developed exam questions to consistently assess each skill across the different groups.

   Conducting user research

   We conducted nearly 20 consultations with civil servants across all cohorts. Tailored discussion guides enabled us to explore thematic patterns, attitudes, and behaviours, ensuring that learning journeys were aligned with the real needs of each group. We also gathered user insights into preferred learning experiences to inform the design of the training platform.

   Analysis and Needs Assessment Report

   We produced a detailed report evaluating current skill levels against target proficiencies. The report provided cohort-specific recommendations and included insights on usability and accessibility to guide the development of the training programme.

Our impact

The Needs Assessment Report directly informed the design of a learning platform (developed by our partners at Apolitical), offering clear insights into skills gaps, usability, and learning preferences.
The platform has been piloted with Kenyan civil servants, recording strong levels of engagement.
The programme is helping to build a more AI-ready workforce in Kenya’s public sector, supporting the effective use of AI to improve government operations and public service delivery.