Illustration ./ PHOTO ; Oxford
Kenya has marked a major milestone in public sector innovation with the launch of the UNESCO–Oxford Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation in Government.
Developed by UNESCO and the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School, and delivered locally through the Kenya School of Government (KSG), the course forms part of DigiKen Digital Platforms Kenya, a three-year joint UN programme funded by the UN Joint SDG Fund.
DigiKen aims to accelerate Kenya’s transition toward an inclusive, human-centred digital ecosystem and strengthen the digital capacities of civil servants nationwide.
Speaking during the launch, Dr. Stephen Jackson, UN Resident Coordinator in Kenya, hailed the initiative as a defining step in the country’s digital journey.
“This positions Kenya at the forefront of responsible digital governance in Africa. By building the digital and ethical capacities of civil servants, Kenya is enhancing institutional effectiveness, improving public service delivery, and advancing Sustainable Development Goal 16 on accountable, transparent, and inclusive governance.”
Building Skills for Ethical Digital Governance
The free online course provides practical learning for civil servants and public administration professionals to harness digital technologies and artificial intelligence responsibly.
It emphasizes the importance of ethics, human rights, and inclusivity in digital governance, a focus that aligns closely with UNESCO’s global digital transformation agenda.
According to Louise Haxthausen, UNESCO Regional Director for Eastern Africa, the initiative will directly empower Kenya’s public service to innovate responsibly.
“This course equips civil servants with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to use technology responsibly, improve public services, and strengthen trust between government and citizens,” she said.
“The shared goal is to make innovation in government human-centred, inclusive, and grounded in human rights and accountability.”
The MOOC targets Kenyan civil servants at Job Grade CG8 (JG N) and above, offering a curriculum designed to promote transparency, efficiency, and citizen trust in governance.
Through the Kenya School of Government, the programme will strengthen digital literacy and promote ethical leadership in the use of AI across public institutions.
Prof. Nura Mohamed, Director General of KSG, said the course demonstrates Kenya’s leadership in public-sector digital transformation.
“Kenya is proud to pioneer this UNESCO–Oxford MOOC,” she noted.
“Through the Kenya School of Government, we are empowering civil servants to deliver inclusive, secure, and citizen-focused digital services for the future.”
A Joint UN Effort to Accelerate Transformation
The MOOC is part of a wider collaboration between UNESCO (lead agency), UNCDF, UNEP, and UN Women, working alongside the Government of Kenya through the DigiKen programme.
By 2027, the initiative aims to train 20,000 civil servants to strengthen Kenya’s digital governance systems and improve public-sector innovation.
The global context underscores the urgency of such efforts. The World Bank estimates that the public sector employs one-third of the global workforce.
Yet, according to UN DESA’s 2024 E-Government Survey, fewer than half of all countries have integrated AI into national e-government strategies, and only 21% address its ethical use in public administration.
As a result, millions of public officials worldwide are navigating rapid technological change without adequate training or policy guidance.
The UNESCO–Oxford partnership seeks to close this skills gap through a global learning initiative anchored in ethical, inclusive digital transformation.
Global Learning, Local Impact
Launched globally on 10 November 2025, the AI and Digital Transformation in Government MOOC is open to civil servants and public-sector leaders at all levels, regardless of technical background.
Key course details include:
- Languages: English and Spanish available from launch; French, Portuguese, and Arabic to follow.
- Duration: 12 hours of online learning.
- Cost: Free of charge.
- Certification: Joint certificate from UNESCO and the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School.
- Modules: AI and Human Rights, Ethics, Data Governance, Inclusive Service Design, Leadership, and hands-on experience with Generative AI tools.
The course is developed in partnership with the SPARK-AI Alliance, a global network of more than 50 public administration training institutions established by UNESCO.
The Alliance promotes capacity-building in AI and digital governance, ensuring that governments adopt technology in ways that uphold human rights, inclusion, and accountability.
Empowering Public Leadership for a Digital Future
At the global level, UNESCO leaders emphasized that responsible AI governance begins with people—not machines.
“The future of digital governance depends on people,” said Tawfik Jelassi, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information at the initial announcement back in October.
“This course is a strategic intervention to equip civil servants with the competencies needed to govern AI responsibly and inclusively. By investing in people, we build trust in public AI systems and ensure that technology serves humanity, not the other way around.”
As Kenya pioneers the first national rollout of this UNESCO–Oxford course, it signals not only the country’s commitment to a responsible digital future but also a model for how developing nations can lead in shaping the ethical use of emerging technologies.
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