Trade and Labour Pathways for Decent Work in Kenya's Digital Economy 2025

The digital labour market faces structural risks from AI and automation, with 86% of employers expecting AI to change their business by 2030.50 Up to 52% of jobs in Kenya may be automated, especially in low-skill tasks such as data entry, transcription and customer service. Many of the very roles that have driven digital job creation – low-skilled, repetitive and often outsourced from overseas – are among the first to be automated. Kenya’s recently launched National AI Strategy 2025–203051 does not provide detailed implementation frameworks for workforce transition or reskilling programmes that would prepare workers vulnerable to displacement.There is a need to move up the value chain – from microtasking and basic digital services to higher- value areas such as AI development, cybersecurity, software engineering, strategic advisory and tech entrepreneurship. Yet this shift requires significant investment in advanced digital skills, industry partnerships and institutional capacity-building. The risk is two-fold: Kenya may lose out on labour-intensive digital jobs due to automation, while simultaneously failing to compete for more specialized work due to a shortage of highly skilled talent. Addressing this requires a proactive mix of education reform, digital infrastructure development, social protection mechanisms and ethical AI policy.2.3 Long-term viability in the context of AI and automation Trade and Labour: Pathways for Decent Work in Kenya’s Digital Economy 14