ICTworks

Kenyan companies are increasingly utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to drive social impact, recognizing its potential to address complex challenges and enhance societal welfare. AI’s data-processing capabilities enable the analysis of large datasets to identify trends and insights, crucial for informed decision-making in sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and finance.

• In healthcare, AI aids in disease diagnosis and patient data management, improving access and quality of care.
• In agriculture, AI-based predictive analytics assists farmers in crop management, boosting productivity and sustainability.
• In finance, AI-driven financial technologies expand financial inclusion, offering personalized services to previously underserved populations.

These applications of AI not only contribute to economic growth but also align with Kenya’s development goals, promoting social welfare and innovation. Kenyan companies’ adoption of AI for social impact reflects a commitment to leveraging technology for the greater good, fostering a more inclusive and progressive society.

15 Kenyan Companies Using AI for Social Impact

• 4G Capital offers a platform that provides microloans and financial training to small businesses in Africa. The company uses AI to evaluate customers’ business performance, cash flow, and repayment capacity, and offer them flexible loans and tailored advice.
• Afyarekod is a digital health data platform that focuses on the patient and allows health facilities to capture, store, have real-time access and mobility of the patient’s health data. Using AI and various blockchain modules, AfyaRekod allows health institutions, partners and patients to make insightful data driven decisions that allows doctors to provide better healthcare for patients.
• Alternative Circle offers a mobile app that uses AI to provide microloans and financial education to individuals and businesses. The company uses AI to analyze data from customers’ smartphones, such as financial transactions, social media activity, and geolocation data, to assess their credit risk and offer them customized loans.
• Apollo Agriculture uses AI to provide customized financing, insurance, and farm inputs to smallholder farmers. The company uses AI to analyze satellite imagery, soil data, weather data, and farmer behavior data to optimize crop yields and reduce risks.
• Data Integrated Limited uses AI and IoT to provide smart mobility solutions for public transport operators. It provides a platform that enables operators to manage their fleets, drivers, routes, fares, and payments. It also provides data analytics and insights to improve transport safety, reliability, and profitability.
• Equitel operates as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) in Kenya, and offers money transfer services. The bank-owned firm provides mobile-based financial services to those who aren’t part of the banking system.
• Flare uses AI and cloud computing to improve emergency response in Kenya. It provides a platform that connects patients, hospitals, ambulances, and first responders, and optimizes the dispatch and coordination of emergency services. It also provides data analytics and insights to improve emergency care quality.
• Ilara Health provides accessible and affordable diagnostics to the disadvantaged in Kenya using artificial intelligence and robotics to lower the overall cost of diagnostics. Ilara Health also procures tech-powered diagnostic equipment at affordable prices and makes the same equipment available to healthcare facilities who then pay over time.
• Lishe Living provides personalized nutrition and wellness coaching using AI and chatbots. It helps users to set and track their health goals, get customized meal plans and recipes, and access nutrition experts and support groups.
• M-Shule uses AI and SMS to deliver personalized and adaptive learning to primary school students. It analyzes student performance and learning preferences, and provides them with tailored lessons, quizzes, and feedback. It also engages parents and teachers through SMS reports and tips.
• M-PESA is a mobile banking service from Safaricom that allows users to store and transfer money through their mobile phones. It was introduced in Kenya in 2007 by Vodafone and Safaricom, and has since expanded to Tanzania, Mozambique, DRC, Lesotho, Ghana, Egypt, Afghanistan, and South Africa.
• Tala offers a mobile app that uses AI to provide instant loans to individuals and businesses. The company uses AI to analyze data from customers’ smartphones, such as device type, contacts, network diversity, and behavioral patterns, to determine their credit score and loan eligibility.
• Twiga Foods offers a platform that connects farmers and vendors in the fresh produce supply chain. The company uses AI to improve efficiency and transparency in the market, such as demand forecasting, quality control, inventory management, and credit scoring.
• UjuziKilimo uses AI and IoT to provide smart farming solutions for smallholder farmers. It uses sensors to collect and analyze soil and weather data, and provides farmers with real-time agronomic advice via SMS or voice calls.
• Wasoko uses AI and e-commerce to empower informal retailers in Africa. It provides a platform that enables retailers to order products from local suppliers at any time via SMS or mobile app. It also provides features such as free delivery, credit access, inventory management, and data analytics.