Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) Governor Dr. Kamau Thugge has opened the CBK@60 Artificial Intelligence Conference in Nairobi, placing trusted and responsible AI at the centre of discussions on the future of central banking in Africa.
The conference, held on September 16, 2026, at the CBK Institute of Monetary Studies (CBK-IMS), is themed “Trusted Artificial Intelligence in Central Banking Practice.” It brings together central bank governors and officials, commercial banks, regulators, researchers and AI experts to examine how artificial intelligence can be applied across the financial sector.
The event forms part of the Central Bank of Kenya’s CBK@60 Diamond Jubilee celebrations, marking 60 years since the institution opened its doors on September 14, 1966. It is also being held alongside the 2026 Annual Meetings of the Association of African Central Banks (AACB), which run from September 13 to 18 in Nairobi.
Thugge Links CBK@60 to the Future of Central Banking
In his opening remarks, Thugge presented the 60th anniversary as an opportunity to reflect on CBK’s six decades of monetary and financial-sector work while considering how the institution and other African central banks will respond to emerging technologies.
The AI conference provides part of that forward-looking agenda, with discussions focused on how central banks can use artificial intelligence while maintaining the safeguards required in financial systems.
CBK said the conference will give particular attention to the application of AI in monetary policy, financial stability, financial integrity, regulation and supervision, and data analytics. This places AI beyond its use as a general productivity tool and into areas directly connected to the work of financial regulators and monetary authorities.
CBK Already Assessing AI Adoption in Banking
The conference comes after CBK conducted a survey on artificial intelligence in Kenya’s banking sector to assess adoption, emerging applications and risks.
The survey, conducted in March 2025, found that 50% of respondents had adopted AI, including 66% of commercial banks, 57% of microfinance banks and 43% of digital credit providers. However, only 30% of respondents said they had established AI strategies.
The survey identified credit scoring, fraud detection and personalised customer engagement among the leading uses of AI in financial institutions. It also highlighted challenges involving data quality, governance, third-party dependencies, skills shortages and compliance. CBK said the findings would help inform regulatory guidance and frameworks for the responsible use of AI in the financial sector.
Why Trusted AI Matters for Central Banks
For central banks, the adoption of AI raises issues beyond efficiency and automation. Artificial intelligence can process large volumes of financial and economic data, potentially supporting analysis, supervision, fraud detection and other regulatory functions. At the same time, its use requires controls around data governance, transparency, accountability and human oversight.
CBK’s 2025 survey identified the need for robust AI strategies, data governance, ethical principles and human oversight as part of successful AI implementation in financial institutions. The focus on “trusted” AI at the CBK@60 conference therefore comes as Kenya’s financial sector moves from assessing AI adoption to considering how the technology should be governed and applied.
CBK Marks 60 Years of Central Banking
CBK opened its doors to the public on September 14, 1966, after being established through an Act of Parliament earlier that year. Its mandate includes formulating and implementing monetary policy, promoting price stability, supporting the stability of the banking sector and providing banking services to the government and financial institutions.
The CBK@60 programme includes the AI conference, AACB meetings, a gala dinner, a tree-growing initiative at Karura Forest, a historical docuseries featuring former governors and other commemorative activities. CBK also partnered with the Ministry of Education to sponsor 13 competition classes at the 2026 Kenya Music Festival.
CBK Hosts African Central Bank Meetings
The AI conference is one of several high-level events taking place at CBK-IMS during the week of the bank’s 60th anniversary. The AACB Symposium of Governors is scheduled for September 17, followed by the 48th Assembly of Governors on September 18. The meetings bring African central bank officials together for discussions on monetary and financial-sector issues.