Scribd
Upload
8 views5 pages

Pdf24 Converted (1)

The British High Commission Nairobi is inviting expressions of interest for the UK-Kenya AI Challenge Fund 2025, aimed at supporting innovative AI solutions that address socio-economic challenges in alignment with Kenya's National AI Strategy 2025-2030. Eligible applicants include individuals, startups, research institutions, and consortia focused on AI-driven projects in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and education. The submission deadline is May 18, 2025, with funding requests ranging from KES 1M to KES 2M based on project scope and alignment with strategic priorities.

Uploaded by

Yusto Malik Omondi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
8 views5 pages

Pdf24 Converted (1)

The British High Commission Nairobi is inviting expressions of interest for the UK-Kenya AI Challenge Fund 2025, aimed at supporting innovative AI solutions that address socio-economic challenges in alignment with Kenya's National AI Strategy 2025-2030. Eligible applicants include individuals, startups, research institutions, and consortia focused on AI-driven projects in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and education. The submission deadline is May 18, 2025, with funding requests ranging from KES 1M to KES 2M based on project scope and alignment with strategic priorities.

Uploaded by

Yusto Malik Omondi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

OFFICIAL

ay
mah
ees Cleat eek
‘eerot

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI): UK-KENYA Al CHALLENGE


FUND

Issued by The British High Commission Nairobi


Date of Issue: 17th April 2025
Submission Deadline: 18th May 2025
Contact Email: Wilfred. [email protected]
Reference Number: Eol-AICF-BHCN-2025

1. Introduction

The British High Commission Nairobi, in alignment with Kenya's National Artificial
Intelligence (Al) Strategy 2025-2030, invites eligible individuals and antities to express
their interest in participating in the UK-Kenya Al Challenge Fund 2025 This initiative aims
to support early-stage innovative Al-driven uses cases that address critical socio-
economic challenges and contribute to the nation's digital transformation agenda

2. Background

In March 2025, Kenya unveiled its Al Strategy 2025-2030, positioning the country as a
regional leader in Al innovation, research, and commercialization The strategy
emphasizes responsible Al adoption to drive aconomic prowth, job creation, and
improved service delivery. itis anchored on three key pillars

I Al Digital Infrastructure: Developing accessible, modern infrastructure for Al


innovation
ii Data Ecosystem Establishing robust data systems to fuel research and decision-
making.
iii Al Research and Innovation: Advancing localized solutions to address key
challenges in sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and education

Prior to this, the British High Commission Nairobi had launched the first round of the Al
Challenge Fund in the fourth quarter of 2024, The fund has so far supported 11 use cases
anchered in fastering partnership between UK and Kenya while championing responsible
and ethical pillar for the development, deployment and usage of Al innovations, This
second round of the fund is a continuation
with alignmentto the Kenya Al strategy 2025 —
2030

3. Objectives of the Al Challenge Fund

The Al Challenge Fund seeks to

OFFICIAL
OFFICIAL

Support the development and scaling of Al solutions with high social and
economic impact in line with the Kenya Al Strategy 2025-2030
Foster partnerships and collaboration between Al innovators, researchers,
research institutions and industry partners between the UK and Kenya
iil Strengthen local Al capacity by providing funding, mentorship, and technical
assistance,
Promote responsible and ethicalAl development, deployment and usage.
Foster cross border knowledge exchange between the UK and Kenya

4, Focus Sectors

Inline with Kenya's Al Strategy 2025-2030, the Fund will prioritize projects in the following
sectors

Agriculture & Food Security: Enhancing productivity and sustainability through


Al-driven solutions
Healthcare & Biotechnology: Improving healthcare access and outcomas using
Al technologies
iii Financial Services: Promoting financial inclusion and innovation through Al
applications.
Education & Skills Development: Leveraging Al to enhance learning experiences
and outcomes.
Smart Citles & Urban Development Utilizing Al for efficient urban planning and
management
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs}. Al tools that support
digitization, access to finance, and productivity for MSMEs across sectors
vil, Security & Public Safety Responsible Al use in strengthening national and
community sacurity while respecting rights and data privacy.
vill. Public Sector Service Delivery. Al innovations that promote transparency,
efficiency, and citizen engagement in government services, These can include
Chatbots for government service access, Predictive analytics for policymaking,
Al-assisted fraud detection and data management etc.
ix. Creative Economy & Media. Al powered tools that support digital content
creation, distribution, and monetization in Kenya's creative industries.
Climate Action & Environmental Sustainability: Al tools for environmental
monitoring, climate resilience, and sustainable natural resource management
These can include Al for deforestation tracking and biodiversity conservation,
Climate forecasting and adaptation modelling, Al in water and air quality
monitoring etc.

5. Eligibility Criteria

OFFICIAL
OFFICIAL

Eligible applicants include

individual entrepreneurs, innovators and researchers in Kenya


Al startups, SMEs, and antrepraneurs registered and operating in Kenya
Research institutions and universities engaged in Al research and development
Al-focused innovation hubs and incubators supporting Al talent and solutions.
Consortia comprising multiple stakeholders working collaboratively on Al
solutions

Applicants must damonstrata

A clear and innovative Al solution addressing a specific challenge in the focus


sectors
Potential partnership with a UK institution
The potential for scalability and sustainability of the proposed solutian This
should come out clearly post the funding circle demonstrating a concise plan to
scale and sustain the solution
Alignment with the objectives of Kenya's Al Strategy 2025-2030
Cammitment te ethical Al practices and data protection standards.
vi Within tha Al pillars of Data, Algorithms, Compute, Talent and Governance,
indicate which one(s) your bid addresses

6. Submission Guidelines

Interested partias should submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) that includes

Cover Letter A brief introduction of the applicant(s) and contact information


Project Concept Note A concise description of the Al solution, targeted
challenge, objectives, implementation plan, and expected autcomes
Organization individual Profile Background information, including relevant
experiance and axpertise in Al
Partnerships Details of any (potential) collaborating partners from the UK and
their roles in the project This should include a brief description of the (potential)
UK partner's profile, relevant expertise and level & areas of
collaboration/partnership

Available Fund:

Applicants may request funding within the range of KES 1M = KES 2M, depending on
project scope and scalability. Final amounts will be determined based on project
strength, budget justification and alignment with strategic priorities

Submission Format:

The EOI should not exceed 5 pages, excluding annexes.

OFFICIEL
OFFICIAL

Use Aptos/Arial font, size 11 with Single line spacing


Submit the EQ! in PDF format wa email to Wilfred [email protected] and

Charles Jumamiicdos,gowuk with the subject line "EO] Submissian Al Challenge


Fund 2025 - [Applicant Name)"

7. Evaluation Process

Submissions will be evaluated based an

Innovation and Originality: Novelty of the Al solution and its approach to


addressing the identified challenge.
Impact Potential: The anticipated social and economic benefits of the solution
Feasibility: Practicality of implementation, including technical and financial
viability
Scalability and Sustainability: Potential for the solution to be scaled or
replicated in other contexts and it’s sustainability plan post the funding
Alignment with National Al Strategy: Consistancy with tha goals and pillars of
Kenya's Al Strategy 2025-2030

Important Dates
EO! Submission Deadline Thursday 18th May 2025 23.59:00 HRS EAT
Notification of Shortlisting: Saturday 31st May 2025
Submission of Full Proposals (for shortlisted applicants) Sunday &th June 2025
Final Selection and Award Notification Monday 30th June 2025

Contact Information

For inquiries or further information, please contact

Wilfred Oluoch
The British High Commission Nairobi
Address: Upper Hill Road, PO Box 20465-00100, Nairobi
Telephone +254 20 284 4000 / +254 20 287 3000 / +254 113 105917
Email: Nairobi. [email protected] / Wilfred [email protected]
Website: British High Commission Nairobi - GOV.UK

10. Disclaimer

This EO! does not constitute a solicitation British High Commission Nairabl reserves the
right to change or cancel the requirement at any time during the EO! and/or solicitation
process Submitting a response to this EO! does not automatically guarantee that the
applicant will be selected to participate in the subsequent stages of the selection
process

OFFICIEL
N/B:

1 Ensure that all submissions adhere to the guidelines provided Late orincomplete
submissions will not be considered
2 By participating in this EOI, applicants acknowledge and agree to the terms and
conditions outlined herein
3 Implementation of successful bids must be completed by 28th February 2026

OFFICIEL

You might also like