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Techplomacy Newsletter, September 2026 | Publications · UNGA81 intelligence tracker

Agreements and launches

6 articles

Signed, launched or switched on during the week.

Agreement · 21 Sep · New York
A five-year Kenya–Hoover framework connects policy research with preparation for change.
Agreement21 Sep · New York
pp. 43–44
Agreement · 21 Sep · New York
Building Strategic Foresight in Public Institutions
A five-year Kenya–Hoover framework connects policy research with preparation for change.
In brief
The source says Kenya and the Hoover Institution at Stanford University agreed to deepen cooperation in technology, artificial intelligence and strategic foresight. It says the partnership was formalised through the signing of a Joint Declaration on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
Who took part
ICT Authority
Immaculate Kassait
Jessy Kiveu Maruti
John Tanui
Musalia Mudavadi
Philip Thigo
Dr Jendayi Frazer
Dr Sanjeev Khagram
+2 more
In the tracker
AGR-000005 →
Stage 4: Agreement
Stage 4 of 10 · Formal agreement, MoU or joint communiqué.
View record Read · pp. 43–44Read in the newsletter · pp. 43–44
Child safety · 22 Sep · UN HQ
Kenya co-chaired the launch of a roadmap linking protection with access to beneficial technology.
Child safety22 Sep · UN HQ
pp. 47–48
Child safety · 22 Sep · UN HQ
Child Safety in the Age of AI
Kenya co-chaired the launch of a roadmap linking protection with access to beneficial technology.
In brief
The source reports that President William Ruto spoke at a high-level meeting on the Coalition for Children’s Rights and Protection in the Age of AI at the United Nations headquarters in New York on September 22, 2026. It says Kenya is a founding member of the coalition alongside France and Spain, with Australia later joining as a co-chair, and that the coalition unveiled its 2026–2027 roadmap in New York.
Who took part
Philip Thigo
Rachel Ruto
William Kabogo
William Samoei Ruto
Anthony Albanese
Catherine Russell
Emmanuel Macron
Pedro Sánchez
+9 more
In the tracker
UNGA81-KE-0007 →
Stage 1: Signal
Stage 1 of 10 · Relevant engagement or discussion detected.
View record Read · pp. 47–48Read in the newsletter · pp. 47–48
Agreement · 23 Sep · New York
The Joint Declaration connects advanced models with Kenyan priorities, evaluation and law.
Agreement23 Sep · New York
pp. 52–54
Agreement · 23 Sep · New York
Kenya–Anthropic AI Cooperation
The Joint Declaration connects advanced models with Kenyan priorities, evaluation and law.
In brief
Citizen Digital reports that Kenya and Anthropic signed a Joint Declaration in New York on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, during the 81st United Nations General Assembly. The article says the agreement covers AI skills and capacity building, research, public-sector applications, AI safety and evaluation, and applications in education and health, with a next phase focused on pilots, research initiatives and training programmes involving Kenyan institutions.
Who took part
John Tanui
Korir Sing’Oei
Philip Thigo
William Samoei Ruto
Alexander Stubb
Anthropic
Anthropic’s Beneficial Deployments team
Courtney O’Donnell
+8 more
In the tracker
AGR-000003 →
Stage 4: Agreement
Stage 4 of 10 · Formal agreement, MoU or joint communiqué.
View record Read · pp. 52–54Read in the newsletter · pp. 52–54
Investment · UNGA week · New York
NIFC Africa and New Wind Ventures established a framework for testing investment pathways.
InvestmentUNGA week · New York
pp. 67–68
Investment · UNGA week · New York
Connecting Swiss Capital with Kenyan Opportunities
NIFC Africa and New Wind Ventures established a framework for testing investment pathways.
In brief
CIO Africa reports that the Nairobi International Financial Centre has signed a cooperation agreement with Swiss technology company New Wind Ventures to develop and test a framework linking Swiss banking-sector participants with Kenya’s capital markets. The signing took place in New York on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly and was witnessed by the Deputy Consul General of Switzerland.
Who took part
Daniel Mainda
Fouzia Abdirahman Abass
Nairobi International Financial Centre
Philip Thigo
Joachim Tomaschett
New Wind Ventures
Switzerland
Veronica Almedom
In the tracker
AGR-000007 →
Stage 4: Agreement
Stage 4 of 10 · Formal agreement, MoU or joint communiqué.
View record Read · pp. 67–68Read in the newsletter · pp. 67–68
Cooperation · 28 Sep · New York
The signing advances accession and opens further opportunities for digital cooperation.
Cooperation28 Sep · New York
pp. 69–70
Cooperation · 28 Sep · New York
Kenya Signs the DCO Charter
The signing advances accession and opens further opportunities for digital cooperation.
In brief
Kenya signed the Digital Cooperation Organization Charter during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, becoming a Signatory Member. full membership is subject to completion of national accession procedures and that the signing followed nearly two years of engagement and DCO Council approval of Kenya’s candidature on 28 August.
Who took part
Mohamed Ruwange
Musalia Mudavadi
Office of the Special Envoy on Technology
Philip Thigo
William Kabogo
Deemah AlYahya
Digital Cooperation Organization
In the tracker
AGR-000011 →
Stage 4: Agreement
Stage 4 of 10 · Formal agreement, MoU or joint communiqué.
View record Read · pp. 69–70Read in the newsletter · pp. 69–70
Cloud · 28 Sep · New York
TCS, iXAfrica and Sybyl expand the infrastructure available within Kenya.
Cloud28 Sep · New York
pp. 71–72
Cloud · 28 Sep · New York
TCS Sovereign Cloud Goes Live
TCS, iXAfrica and Sybyl expand the infrastructure available within Kenya.
In brief
Tata Consultancy Services’ sovereign cloud platform is now live in Kenya, hosted at iXAfrica Data Centers’ Nairobi campus and delivered with Sybyl. Ambassador Philip Thigo joined the announcement at the Harvard Club in New York on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly, alongside representatives from iXAfrica, Invest Kenya, the Nairobi Securities Exchange and TCS.
Who took part
Frank Mwiti
John Mwendwa
Kenya Investment Authority
Nairobi Securities Exchange
Office of the Special Envoy on Technology
Philip Thigo
Tata Consultancy Services
Snehar Shah
+2 more
In the tracker
PRJ-000002 →
Stage 9: Operational
Stage 9 of 10 · Project/programme operational.
View record Read · pp. 71–72Read in the newsletter · pp. 71–72

Governing AI: safety, evaluation and rights

9 articles

How AI is tested, controlled and held to account, and Kenya's case for shared sovereignty.

Cover story · 21 Sep · UN HQ
Kenya and Finland examined how cooperation can widen national choices in AI.
Cover story21 Sep · UN HQ
pp. 38–40
Cover story · 21 Sep · UN HQ
AI Middle Powers and Shared Sovereignty
Kenya and Finland examined how cooperation can widen national choices in AI.
In brief
The source says President William Ruto co-chaired the High-Level Artificial Intelligence Middle Powers Coalition meeting with President Alexander Stubb of Finland on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. It reports that Ruto called for stronger international cooperation on AI infrastructure, skills, research and governance, and said Kenya is pursuing its AI agenda through the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy.
Who took part
William Samoei Ruto
Alexander Stubb
Finland
Julius Maada Bio
Sierra Leone
High-Level Artificial Intelligence Middle Powers Coalition
United Nations
In the tracker
UNGA81-KE-0006 →
Stage 2: Discussion
Stage 2 of 10 · Substantive discussion confirmed.
View record Read · pp. 38–40Read in the newsletter · pp. 38–40
Activities · 23 Sep · New York
Activities23 Sep · New York
p. 49
Activities · 23 Sep · New York
Making AI’s Environmental Impact Measurable
In brief
Ambassador Philip Thigo delivered framing remarks at the CODES Roundtable on AI and the Planet at UNDP Headquarters in New York on 23 September. The discussion connected AI applications for climate and nature with the environmental consequences of developing and operating AI systems, and Kenya’s contribution pressed for evidence and shared standards to measure and reduce environmental impacts.
Who took part
Philip Thigo
Coalition for Digital Environmental Sustainability
Global Enabling Sustainability Initiative (GeSI)
United Nations Development Programme
In the tracker
UNGA81-KE-0012 →
Stage 2: Discussion
Stage 2 of 10 · Substantive discussion confirmed.
View record Read · p. 49Read in the newsletter · p. 49
Evaluation · 23 Sep · New York
Testing needs to examine how systems work in the settings where people use them.
Evaluation23 Sep · New York
pp. 55–56
Evaluation · 23 Sep · New York
Building Independent Capacity to Evaluate AI
Testing needs to examine how systems work in the settings where people use them.
In brief
Ambassador Philip Thigo participated on 23 September in a meeting on independent AI evaluation at Copinette in New York during the United Nations General Assembly. The engagement was hosted by Humane Intelligence, UNICEF and the UN Human Rights Office and examined how independent institutions can assess AI’s effects on people and sustain that work. The engagement accompanied the launch of the Independent AI Evaluation Foundation, announced with US$10 million in philanthropic backing.
Who took part
Office of the Special Envoy on Technology
Philip Thigo
Humane Intelligence
UN Human Rights Office
UNICEF
In the tracker
ENG-000009 →
Stage 2: Discussion
Stage 2 of 10 · Substantive discussion confirmed.
View record Read · pp. 55–56Read in the newsletter · pp. 55–56
AI safety · 24 Sep · UN HQ
AI Safety Connect examined crisis preparedness and international coordination.
AI safety24 Sep · UN HQ
pp. 57–58
AI safety · 24 Sep · UN HQ
Strengthening Cooperation on AI Safety
AI Safety Connect examined crisis preparedness and international coordination.
In brief
The Office of the Special Envoy on Technology co-hosted “Governing at the Speed of AI” at United Nations Headquarters in New York on 24 September. The engagement brought governments, scientists and technology companies together to discuss assessment of advanced AI systems, prevention of serious harm and coordination when safeguards fail. It also says the meeting followed President William Ruto’s endorsement of “A Call for Control of Frontier AI Models” on 21 September.
Who took part
Office of the Special Envoy on Technology
Philip Thigo
William Samoei Ruto
Alar Karis
David Lametti
Jerry McNerney
Justin Nsengiyumva
Maria Ressa
+16 more
In the tracker
UNGA81-KE-0014 →
Stage 2: Discussion
Stage 2 of 10 · Substantive discussion confirmed.
View record Read · pp. 57–58Read in the newsletter · pp. 57–58
AI safety · 21 Sep · New York
Initiated by President Stubb of Finland and Prime Minister Støre of Norway, endorsed by President Ruto on 21 September.
AI safety21 Sep · New York
p. 57
AI safety · 21 Sep · New York
Kenya endorses “A Call for Control of Frontier AI Models”
Initiated by President Stubb of Finland and Prime Minister Støre of Norway, endorsed by President Ruto on 21 September.
In brief
A meeting followed President William Ruto’s endorsement of “A Call for Control of Frontier AI Models.” The call was initiated by Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre on 21 September and sought measures including independent testing before deployment, evaluator access, incident reporting and maintaining human direction and control.
Who took part
Office of the Special Envoy on Technology
William Samoei Ruto
Alexander Stubb
Jonas Gahr Støre
In the tracker
ENG-000010 →
Stage 3: Intent
Stage 3 of 10 · Intent, interest, proposal or LOI identified.
View record Read · p. 57Read in the newsletter · p. 57
Development · 24 Sep · New York
The UN Foundation discussion examined who can access AI and influence its use.
Development24 Sep · New York
pp. 59–60
Development · 24 Sep · New York
People, Power and AI: Shaping Development Choices
The UN Foundation discussion examined who can access AI and influence its use.
In brief
On 24 September 2026, Kenya co-hosted “People, Power and AI: Critical Choices Ahead” with the United Nations Foundation and AI Safety Connect in New York on the margins of the UN General Assembly. Ambassador Philip Thigo joined a discussion on how AI will affect livelihoods, public services, and people’s ability to influence decisions. the session considered access to AI, public accountability, local expertise, joint research, locally relevant applications, and skills.
Who took part
Office of the Special Envoy on Technology
Philip Thigo
Bilal Bin Saqib
Charlotte Pierre
Claire Melamed
Foo Chi Hsia
Mamta Murthi
Pakistan
+5 more
In the tracker
UNGA81-KE-0015 →
Stage 2: Discussion
Stage 2 of 10 · Substantive discussion confirmed.
View record Read · pp. 59–60Read in the newsletter · pp. 59–60
Development · 24 Sep · New York
Development24 Sep · New York
pp. 61–62
Development · 24 Sep · New York
Building Democratic Agency over AI
In brief
Kenya co-hosted “Shaping Democratic Agency over the Course of AI Development” with the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United Nations Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies at UN Headquarters in New York on 24 September. The engagement examined how countries can influence AI’s development, including through national strategies, research institutes, safety standards and sector applications. Ambassador Philip Thigo framed African capabilities across the AI value chain and linked Kenya’s co-hosting to a proposition on shared sovereignty in technology governance.
Who took part
Philip Thigo
Amandeep Singh Gill
Bilal Bin Saqib
Claire Melamed
Keyzom Ngodup Massally
Maria Ressa
Netherlands
Nicolas Miailhe
+5 more
In the tracker
UNGA81-KE-0016 →
Stage 2: Discussion
Stage 2 of 10 · Substantive discussion confirmed.
View record Read · pp. 61–62Read in the newsletter · pp. 61–62
Rights · 26 Sep · New York
Protecting agency, widening access and strengthening accountability in the Global South.
Rights26 Sep · New York
pp. 65–66
Rights · 26 Sep · New York
Human Dignity in the Age of AI
Protecting agency, widening access and strengthening accountability in the Global South.
In brief
Ambassador Philip Thigo served as a lead discussant at “Human Dignity in the Age of AI: A Global South Perspective” in New York on the margins of the UN General Assembly. The roundtable examined responsibilities of governments, companies and international institutions towards people affected by AI, with discussion of agency, access, accountability, public services, redress, and Global South capacity to govern AI.
Who took part
Philip Thigo
Binaifer Nowrojee
Open Society Foundations
In the tracker
UNGA81-KE-0018 →
Stage 2: Discussion
Stage 2 of 10 · Substantive discussion confirmed.
View record Read · pp. 65–66Read in the newsletter · pp. 65–66
The record · UNGA81
AI-enabled public services bring new questions into the partnership’s work on transparency and participation.
The recordUNGA81
p. 74
The record · UNGA81
Open Government Partnership at 15
AI-enabled public services bring new questions into the partnership’s work on transparency and participation.
In brief
Kenya joined the Open Government Partnership community in marking its fifteenth anniversary during UNGA81 in New York. AI-enabled public services raise questions for transparency, participation, explanations, challenge mechanisms and institutional accountability in digital governance.
Who took part
Open Government Partnership
In the tracker
ENG-000012 →
Stage 1: Signal
Stage 1 of 10 · Relevant engagement or discussion detected.
View record Read · p. 74Read in the newsletter · p. 74

Value, investment and markets

3 articles

Capturing more of the value of AI and digital services in Africa.

Value · 21 Sep · New York
Unstoppable Africa connected technology adoption with local enterprise and ownership.
Value21 Sep · New York
pp. 41–42
Value · 21 Sep · New York
Creating More Value in Africa’s Digital Economy
Unstoppable Africa connected technology adoption with local enterprise and ownership.
In brief
At Unstoppable Africa 2026 in New York on 21 September, Ambassador Philip Thigo moderated a panel titled “The Future: Building Digital Africa’s Value Change-Makers.” The panel, convened by the Global Africa Business Initiative, examined how African economies could capture more value as digital services expand, including issues of data governance, infrastructure access, growth capital and regional rules.
Who took part
Office of the Special Envoy on Technology
Philip Thigo
David Moinina Sengeh
Fatima Tambajang
Flutterwave
Lisa Monaco
Microsoft
NVIDIA
+2 more
In the tracker
UNGA81-KE-0010 →
Stage 2: Discussion
Stage 2 of 10 · Substantive discussion confirmed.
View record Read · pp. 41–42Read in the newsletter · pp. 41–42
Value · 22 Sep · New York
Building the capability to choose partners and capture value from AI.
Value22 Sep · New York
p. 45
Value · 22 Sep · New York
AI, Competition and Shared Sovereignty
Building the capability to choose partners and capture value from AI.
In brief
Ambassador Philip Thigo joined a discussion at the World Economic Forum’s Sustainable Development Impact Meetings in New York on AI, competition and technology partnerships. the exchange addressed choices countries face as AI becomes part of economic infrastructure, including competition, access to technology partners, computing power, data, skills, local research and applications.
Who took part
Office of the Special Envoy on Technology
Philip Thigo
Sarah B. Rogers
World Economic Forum
In the tracker
ENG-000008 →
Stage 2: Discussion
Stage 2 of 10 · Substantive discussion confirmed.
View record Read · p. 45Read in the newsletter · p. 45
The record · UNGA81
Circle, NIFC Africa and the Nairobi Securities Exchange on stablecoins, virtual assets and capital markets.
The recordUNGA81
p. 74
The record · UNGA81
Digital finance and capital markets
Circle, NIFC Africa and the Nairobi Securities Exchange on stablecoins, virtual assets and capital markets.
In brief
Selected meetings and bilaterals during UNGA81 in New York included discussions with Circle, NIFC Africa, the Nairobi Securities Exchange and other partners on digital finance and capital markets. The discussions examined stablecoins, virtual assets and capital markets, including regulatory conditions under Kenya’s emerging Virtual Asset Service Providers framework and the need for any further work to establish purpose and user protections.
Who took part
Nairobi Securities Exchange
Office of the Special Envoy on Technology
Circle
Nairobi International Financial Centre
In the tracker
ENG-000013 →
Stage 2: Discussion
Stage 2 of 10 · Substantive discussion confirmed.
View record Read · p. 74Read in the newsletter · p. 74

Partners and networks

4 articles

Companies, coalitions and networks Kenya worked with in New York.

Activities · 22 Sep · New York
Connecting frontier technology with human needs.
Activities22 Sep · New York
p. 46
Activities · 22 Sep · New York
AI for Global Benefit: The Briefing by Anthropic
Connecting frontier technology with human needs.
In brief
During UN General Assembly week in New York, Ambassador Philip Thigo joined Anthropic’s “The Briefing: AI for Global Benefit” in a conversation with representatives from Anthropic and Rwanda. The exchange examined practical applications, access, skills, local research and independent evaluation as AI is introduced in different settings. the Office’s participation placed Kenya’s health, education and public-sector priorities within this exchange.
Who took part
Office of the Special Envoy on Technology
Philip Thigo
Anthropic
Elizabeth Kelly
Meenakshi Ramesh
Paula Ingabire
Gates Foundation
IDinsight
In the tracker
UNGA81-KE-0011 →
Stage 2: Discussion
Stage 2 of 10 · Substantive discussion confirmed.
View record Read · p. 46Read in the newsletter · p. 46
Development · 23 Sep · New York
Connecting women with the knowledge, capital and influence to build and lead in AI.
Development23 Sep · New York
pp. 50–51
Development · 23 Sep · New York
Women in AI Network: From Access to Agency
Connecting women with the knowledge, capital and influence to build and lead in AI.
In brief
IamtheCODE launched its Women in AI Network at PwC in New York on 23 September alongside the UN General Assembly as part of the Digital@UNGA programme. Ambassador Philip Thigo delivered a keynote and joined a fireside conversation, connecting women’s leadership with questions of Kenya and the Global South developing expertise and institutions to influence AI technologies entering economies and public services.
Who took part
Office of the Special Envoy on Technology
Philip Thigo
Bhushan Sethi
iamtheCODE
PwC
In the tracker
UNGA81-KE-0013 →
Stage 2: Discussion
Stage 2 of 10 · Substantive discussion confirmed.
View record Read · pp. 50–51Read in the newsletter · pp. 50–51
Development · 24 Sep · New York
Connecting journalism, culture and innovation to strengthen African agency in the age of AI.
Development24 Sep · New York
pp. 63–64
Development · 24 Sep · New York
AfroFrequency: Shaping Africa’s Technology Future
Connecting journalism, culture and innovation to strengthen African agency in the age of AI.
In brief
AfroFrequency launched in New York during UN General Assembly week, bringing together artists, technologists, journalists, researchers, lawyers and civic actors. The launch created a coalition intended to carry African knowledge, priorities and ideas into decisions about technology, policy and investment. The source also says the roadmap envisages work beginning in Nairobi in October, expanding to Johannesburg and Lagos, and culminating in the first AfroFrequency Festival in May 2027.
Who took part
Office of the Special Envoy on Technology
Philip Thigo
African Editors Forum
Cheryl Akinyi
Churchill Otieno
Eastern Africa Editors Society
Larry Madowo
Maurice Otieno
+4 more
In the tracker
UNGA81-KE-0017 →
Stage 3: Intent
Stage 3 of 10 · Intent, interest, proposal or LOI identified.
View record Read · pp. 63–64Read in the newsletter · pp. 63–64
The record · UNGA81
Digital and AI skills, cybersecurity, public-sector transformation and the Moran AI Center of Excellence.
The recordUNGA81
p. 73
The record · UNGA81
Cisco and the Moran AI Center of Excellence
Digital and AI skills, cybersecurity, public-sector transformation and the Moran AI Center of Excellence.
In brief
Engagements with Cisco’s senior leadership during UNGA81 in New York covered digital and AI skills, cybersecurity, and public-sector transformation. The engagements included the Moran AI Center of Excellence, being developed with the Kenya Defence Forces and the Ministry of Defence; training and technical cooperation could strengthen participating institutions' ability to assess and manage their systems.
Who took part
Kenya Defence Forces
Ministry of Defence
Cisco
Francine Katsoudas
In the tracker
ENG-000011 →
Stage 2: Discussion
Stage 2 of 10 · Substantive discussion confirmed.
View record Read · p. 73Read in the newsletter · p. 73

Techplomacy Newsletter

Key figures

Agreements and launches

Building Strategic Foresight in Public Institutions

Child Safety in the Age of AI

Kenya–Anthropic AI Cooperation

Connecting Swiss Capital with Kenyan Opportunities

Kenya Signs the DCO Charter

TCS Sovereign Cloud Goes Live

Governing AI: safety, evaluation and rights

AI Middle Powers and Shared Sovereignty

Making AI’s Environmental Impact Measurable

Building Independent Capacity to Evaluate AI

Strengthening Cooperation on AI Safety

Kenya endorses “A Call for Control of Frontier AI Models”

People, Power and AI: Shaping Development Choices

Building Democratic Agency over AI

Human Dignity in the Age of AI

Open Government Partnership at 15

Value, investment and markets

Creating More Value in Africa’s Digital Economy

AI, Competition and Shared Sovereignty

Digital finance and capital markets

Partners and networks

AI for Global Benefit: The Briefing by Anthropic

Women in AI Network: From Access to Agency

AfroFrequency: Shaping Africa’s Technology Future

Cisco and the Moran AI Center of Excellence