“From Generative to Agentic: Building Kenya’s AI Future on Trust, Data, and Practical Automation,” authored by Veerakumar Natarajan, Country Head of Zoho Kenya.
In this timely piece, Natarajan argues that Kenya’s AI opportunity lies not in chasing the latest model, but in a deliberate, staged approach that builds trust through practical results. He moves beyond the hype of Generative AI to highlight the transformative—yet often overlooked—potential of agentic AI: systems that can take verified, rule-based actions within business workflows.
The piece offers a clear, actionable roadmap for Kenyan businesses and policymakers, grounded in the realities of the local market:
- Data First, AI Second: Emphasizes that digitization and clean data are non-negotiable foundations for reliable AI.
- Beyond Chatbots: Distinguishes between Generative AI (a tool for creation and productivity) and Agentic AI (a driver of secure, auditable automation and efficiency).
- The Local Imperative: Makes a strong case for contextual and sovereign AI models fine-tuned with Kenyan data to ensure cultural relevance and regulatory compliance.
- A Four-Stage Strategy: Outlines a pragmatic adoption path: start with workflow automation, solidify data foundations, integrate GenAI for productivity, and gradually implement agentic AI for autonomous, trusted decision-making.
This Op-Ed provides a needed, ground-level perspective on AI adoption, positioning Kenya not merely as a consumer of global tech, but as a architect of its own intelligent, context-aware digital future.
By James Kisoo
