Kenya will lead the first national implementation of Masterkey, a digital skills mobility initiative designed to enable workers to securely share verified qualifications and employment records across African borders.
President William Ruto announced the initiative while addressing the Accra Reset side event on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) in New York, themed “Full Circle: Making Global Development Work Again”.
The initiative seeks to address barriers to skills recognition and labour mobility as artificial intelligence reshapes economies, workplaces and public institutions across Africa.
“Talent should be portable. Skills should be trusted, and opportunity should cross borders,” Ruto said.
Masterkey will provide digital infrastructure through which individuals can hold and share verified records of skills, qualifications and work experience with employers and institutions. Citizens will retain control over the information they share, while participating countries maintain sovereignty over their institutions and data, Ruto said.
“A qualification or work record issued in Nairobi should be verified in Accra, Kigali and ultimately wherever opportunity exists,” he said.
The Kenyan president said the system would include privacy and cybersecurity safeguards, authorised records, access controls and mechanisms for correcting errors. It will also seek to prevent technological lock-in and protect workers against fraud, exploitation and discrimination.
Ruto clarified that Masterkey would not award jobs, visas or professional recognition, with those decisions remaining under the authority of employers and relevant institutions.
Kenya Links Digital Infrastructure to Productivity
Ruto said Kenya’s investments in its digital economy, including the digital superhighway, digital hubs and public digital infrastructure, must be assessed by their contribution to productivity, enterprise development and public services.
“But infrastructure is not the destination. Its value must ultimately be measured by what people can do with it,” he said.
He identified Africa’s young population as a major asset in the development of the artificial intelligence economy, noting that young Africans are already building software, contributing to global technology ecosystems and using AI to solve problems.
However, he said skills and talent must be supported by trusted qualifications and opportunities that are not restricted by national borders.
Ruto also called for deeper cooperation among governments, technology companies, universities, investors and development institutions to expand access to computing capacity, reliable energy, trusted data, advanced models and research infrastructure.
He said these capabilities would influence Africa’s ability to select, adapt and develop technologies suited to its economic needs.
Africa Seeks Greater Role in Technology Governance
The Kenyan President urged African institutions to strengthen their ability to evaluate artificial intelligence systems, manage emerging risks and participate in global technology governance.
“Africans are not merely consumers of technology. We are workers, researchers, entrepreneurs, innovators and creators whose talent, data and ideas contribute to the global technology economy,” he said.
He said the Accra Reset provides a platform for translating these ambitions into practical cooperation, with Masterkey serving as an initial test of whether African credentials can be recognised across borders and connect citizens to economic opportunities.
“When we meet again, our test should be practical,” Ruto said.
“Was a trusted record issued in one African country recognised and used in another? Did that trust create real opportunity for African citizens?”
Ruto said Kenya was ready to advance the initiative with Ghana, Rwanda and other partners, positioning digital skills mobility as part of Africa’s broader effort to build productive capacity and influence the rules governing emerging technologies.
