Open Institute

Our latest #OpenLetter is out! This month, we spotlight #AIMtaani which is bringing practical, accessible and responsible AI skills to communities and small businesses. Through AI Mtaani Biashara Edition 2, entrepreneurs are learning to use AI to improve marketing, efficiency, customer engagement and business growth. AI inclusion isn’t just about access to technology. It’s about having the skills to turn technology into opportunity. Read more mailchi.mp/openinstitute/… Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest updates openinstitute.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=fe… @nyogude @HannsSeidelSA @GatesAfrica @HSF_Kenya @FordFoundation @OpenAI #AIMtaani #AIForAll #DigitalInclusion #InclusiveAI

Why AI Training Must Reach Every Entrepreneur — Lessons from AI Mtaani for Biashara - mailchi.mp/openinstitute/…

From introducing AI in 2025 to equipping entrepreneurs with practical AI skills today, #AIMtaani is ensuring no one is left behind. Our vision goes beyond business–we're empowering learners, educators, and communities to use AI for learning, innovation, and opportunity.

AI conversations often centre on breakthrough models and billion-dollar investments. But what about the small business owner in a remote village? Without practical AI skills and ethical AI training, the digital divide will only grow. That's why AI Mtaani matters. At AI Biashara Mtaani Edition 2, 163 small business traders learned how to use AI to market their businesses, boost productivity, and unlock new opportunities. Inclusive AI means taking these tools beyond boardrooms and into villages and local markets. If AI is to drive equitable growth, it must reach everyone. Read more: openinstitute.africa/2026/07/29/why… @nyogude @HannsSeidelSA @GatesAfrica @HSF_Kenya #AIMtaani #AIForGood #DigitalInclusion #AIInAfrica #SMEs #ResponsibleAI

Said Hamza, a phone technician at Alpha Electronic, discovered how Meta AI, Gemini, and Canva AI can help him reach new customers, market his services online, and grow his business. AI Mtaani Biashara is empowering entrepreneurs with practical digital skills for business growth.

Which data privacy topic would you like to learn more about?

The Understanding Citizen Data for Better Decision-Making course is designed to equip you with the practical knowledge and tools to put citizen data into action. Whether you're working in government, civil society, research, or community development, this course will help you make better, more informed decisions. If you've been thinking of starting the Understanding Citizen Data for Better Decision-Making course or you started but haven't had the chance to finish, this is a great time to jump back in. As an added bonus, everyone who completes the course by 31 July 2026 will be invited to an exclusive webinar with the Collaborative on Citizen Data team later this year. Two participants will also be selected to share their learning journey and key takeaways with the wider community. Join other learners at courses.wbginstitute.org/course/underst… @UNDataForum  @WorldBankGroup @UNStats @OGPAfrica @SDGsKenyaForum @DataDecisions #CitizenGeneratedData #CommunityData #DataForDevelopment  #DataGovernance #InclusiveDevelopment

Ahmed has spent years raising livestock. At AI Mtaani Biashara Edition 2, he discovered how AI can help market his business, connect with customers, and grow his income. AI is for every entrepreneur, everywhere. #AIMtaani #DigitalInclusion #EconomicGrowth #maonospace

It started with curiosity. Now it's creating opportunities. From writing business plans to finding new customers, 160 entrepreneurs in Kilifi are proving that AI belongs in every business. Read full story here: malindi.maono.space/from-curiosity… #AIMtaani #maonospace

We don't just need more health data, we need data we can trust. In Kenya's health systems, the difference between a true zero and a missing value can mean the difference between detecting an outbreak early and missing it entirely. Better health outcomes start with better data quality, not just better technology. Read more: openinstitute.africa/2026/07/15/why… @MOH_Kenya @GatesAfrica @GlobalFund @HomabayHealth @KilifiCountyGov @nyogude #DigitalHealth #HealthData #PublicHealth #HealthSystems

It was a pleasure to have Tracey Chambers, Director Grow ECD on #OpenChats podcast. We discussed the future of early childhood education in South Africa, innovative learning models, and how they can grow into sustainable businesses that create opportunities for women and strengthen communities. Watch the full conversation: youtube.com/watch?v=MCfaFN… #EarlyChildhoodEducation #EducationInnovation

#LLMs are making data analysis easier than ever. But technology alone won't democratize data. Without connectivity, affordable compute, quality data, and digital skills, many countries risk being left behind. Read more: blogs.worldbank.org/en/opendata/la…

Capacity alongside mass adoption: We had the opportunity to partner with the @Open_Institute & @maono_space to hold the AI Mtaani Biashara Edition. The AI training session brought together residents of Malindi in Kilifi County, who run various types of small businesses.

As we mark World AI Day, it's worth reflecting not only on how quickly AI is evolving, but also on who gets to participate in shaping its future. The conversation around AI must go beyond innovation. It must include responsible development, ethical use, digital inclusion, and ensuring that communities at the grassroots have the knowledge and confidence to use AI meaningfully. Through the AI Mtaani Programme, we are working to bridge this gap by bringing AI closer to communities. We equip entrepreneurs, students, teachers, and community members with practical AI skills, helping them understand how to use AI responsibly, integrate it into their daily lives, and leverage it to grow businesses while navigating the ethical considerations that come with these technologies. This World AI Day, let's continue building an AI ecosystem that is inclusive, ethical, and accessible to everyone. Learn more about the AI Mtaani programme openinstitute.africa/programmes/act… @nyogude @HannsSeidelSA @gatesfoundation @HSF_Kenya #WorldAIDay #AIMtaani #ArtificialIntelligence #DigitalInclusion #AIForBusiness

Why should AI reach grassroots communities? Because technology should create opportunities for everyone, not just those with advanced access. For a farmer, vendor, tailor, or small business owner, AI can unlock new ways to market products, improve decisions, reach customers, and grow. The AI Mtaani Biashara Edition 2 brought together 160+ small businesses to learn practical ways of using AI to solve challenges and participate in the digital economy. Join us in building an inclusive AI future, one where communities are not left behind. @nyogude @HannsSeidelSA @gatesfoundation @HSF_Kenya #AIMtaani #AIForGood #DigitalInclusion #InclusiveInnovation

Every small business has a story, and every entrepreneur deserves the chance to grow. Yesterday, AI Mtaani Biashara Edition equipped local business owners with practical AI skills, proving that technology belongs to everyone and can drive community-led economic growth. #AIMtaani

Over 200 entrepreneurs joined #AIMtaani Biashara Edition 2 today. The message is clear: AI demand is growing fast at the grassroots. Small businesses want practical AI skills to market smarter, boost productivity, and grow. No one should be left behind in the AI revolution.

Kenya is one of Africa's fastest-growing AI adopters, but AI must go beyond boardrooms and tech hubs. Through #AIMtaani, we've trained 153 teachers & students, 129 small business owners, and today we're equipping 200+ entrepreneurs at @maono_space Space with practical AI skills to grow their businesses. We're inviting partners, funders, government, and the private sector to help us scale AI literacy across Kenya. Read more: malindi.maono.space/ai-mtaani-for-… @nyogude @HannsSeidelSA @KilifiCountyGov @gatesfoundation #ArtificialIntelligence #DigitalInclusion #AIForBusiness

Collecting data isn't enough. It creates impact only when it's trusted, shared openly, and used to make better decisions. At the county level, moving data means building trust, strengthening capacity, improving quality, and turning evidence into action. Read more: openinstitute.africa/2026/06/29/mak… @nyogude @Data4SDGs @Hewlett_Found @gatesfoundation #DataGovernance #OpenData #EvidenceBasedPolicy #CountyGovernments #DataForDevelopment #PublicPolicy