Zindi, in partnership with Dalberg Data Insights, the International Centre for AI Research and Ethics (ICAIRE), and the Presidency of Kenya, launched the Country-Level Employability Report 2025 for Kenya during the High-level Side Event on “Empowering Nations for Inclusive Prosperity in the Era of AI” at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. The findings reveal that active participation on Zindi—the largest African platform for data science and AI challenges—significantly improves employability outcomes for young Kenyans.
Speaking with partners from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Kenya, and the International Centre for AI Research and Ethics (ICAIRE), Zindi unveiled evidence that active participation on its platform drives meaningful career outcomes for young Kenyans in the fast-growing AI and data sectors.
The study, which analysed the career trajectories of more than 8,000 Zindi users in Kenya, found that nearly one in five users experienced a career change after joining the platform. Employability gains were strongest among those who actively engaged with the platform.
-
More than 1,500 users (approximately one in five) experienced a career change after joining Zindi.
-
More than 80% of users with completed profiles advanced in their careers, compared with just 3% with less than complete profiles.
-
Completing four or more Zindi challenges makes users four times more likely to secure employment.
-
Teamwork and engagement matter: users collaborating with others were three times more likely to find jobs.
-
Even a single course on Zindi’s learning platform increased employability outcomes threefold.
These findings suggest that employability is increasingly shaped in communities of practice and through applied learning, rather than in classrooms alone.
Ambassador Philip Thigo, MBS, Special Envoy on Technology for the Republic of Kenya, highlighted the power of platforms like Zindi for youth employability: “Africa is entering the Age of Intelligence with a unique advantage: people. This report makes it clear – Africa’s talent is not waiting to be included, it is already contributing to the global AI economy.”
“I’m proud knowing that Africa’s data science and AI talent is a global asset,” added Celina Lee, CEO and co-founder of Zindi. “The evidence is clear: young Kenyans engaging on Zindi are not only gaining skills but also translating them into jobs and livelihoods. Zindi continues to grow and build at the intersection of youth opportunity and global AI capacity-building.”
Dr. Abdulrahman Habib, Director of ICAIRE, said: “The insights in this report highlight how platforms like Zindi play a vital role in building national AI readiness. Kenya’s experience shows that when young people are trusted with solving real-world challenges, they don’t just strengthen local capacity — they become active contributors to the global innovation ecosystem. This is the kind of inclusive AI development the world needs.”
For policymakers and educators, the report provides clear evidence that community-driven, practice-based learning supports traditional education systems in the age of AI. By linking skills development directly to employment outcomes, platforms like Zindi demonstrate how national AI strategies can translate into tangible opportunities for young people.