From Nairobi to Abidjan, Where Sport Meets Innovation
When I left Nairobi for the 16th Sports Africa Conference in Abidjan, I carried more than my luggage. I carried a belief that sport, data, and ambition could intersect to create real change. From the first encounter with Abidjan’s lively streets and humid air to the powerful conversations in packed conference halls, this trip reaffirmed one thing: Africa is ready to lead the future of sport through artificial intelligence.
As the developer of Mchezaji, a Kenyan-built platform that uses AI to scout, train, and connect grassroots athletes, I was honored to present my research paper on Integrating Data Analytics into Public Policy for Grassroots Sports Development in Africa. The reception was encouraging. What stood out most, however, was the collective recognition that AI is no longer a futuristic concept. It is a tool that is already reshaping how sport is played, governed, and accessed across the continent.
AI in African Sport: What I Learned in Abidjan
The sessions I attended revealed just how far-reaching AI’s impact on African sport is becoming. From data ethics to digital transformation, the themes echoed one message: Africa is not a passive observer in the AI revolution. We are participants, and potentially, global leaders.
AI as a Tool for Equity and Access
In a powerful presentation, David Rutambuka demonstrated how AI can predict athlete development, flag injuries, and reduce scouting bias. It was a moment of affirmation for Mchezaji’s core mission: creating a fairer system where talent is discovered through data, not privilege.
For organizations like Siasa Place, this presents a unique opportunity. AI tools can be introduced into youth tournaments to help identify players who might otherwise be overlooked, offering a new layer of fairness and visibility for community athletes.
Ethics and AI Governance
UNESCO and CONFEJES emphasized the importance of establishing ethical frameworks to guide the use of AI in sport, especially when dealing with minors. The questions they raised — Who owns athlete data? How do we protect vulnerable youth? — should not be theoretical. They must guide how AI is implemented.
Siasa Place, as a civic-oriented organization, is well-positioned to lead these conversations in Kenya. It can shape national policies around ethical AI adoption in sport, ensuring technology empowers without exploiting.
AI Beyond Sport: Civic Engagement Through Technology
Another highlight was the work of Global Sport Lab, which demonstrated how AI and digital platforms are being used to promote civic participation. From using apps to encourage voter registration to turning fan engagement into social campaigns, the potential for AI to educate and mobilize youth is immense.
This is a natural fit for Siasa Place. Integrating civic education into sports programs through gamified learning, chatbots, or interactive quizzes can help connect sports culture with civic responsibility in powerful ways.
Why Siasa Place Should Act Now
The global sports tech market is projected to exceed 68 billion dollars by 2030. AI is driving much of that growth. But the real value lies in how it can transform communities here at home.
Siasa Place can take the lead by:
- Piloting AI tools like Mchezaji within local programs. This would help gather data to better support advocacy, identify policy gaps, and measure impact.
- Building AI literacy among youth, not just as end users, but as future developers and creators. Partnering with local tech hubs to run sports and coding camps could open new career paths for young people.
- Owning the narrative around AI and civic engagement, by publishing thought pieces, producing podcasts, or running digital campaigns that link sports, rights, and technology.
Let Us Lead the Wave, Not Watch It
At the conference, I met innovators from Lagos to Kigali who are already using AI to scout talent, analyze performance, and connect communities. The message was clear that Africa does not have to wait. We have the talent, the ambition, and the urgency.
Siasa Place, with its trusted position among youth, civil society, and policy circles, can be a pioneer in this space. By integrating AI into sports programming, we can unlock talent, drive data-informed advocacy, and prepare the next generation for a digital future.
Thank you to the entire Siasa Place team for believing in this journey. I look forward to continuing this work together, transforming not only how we play sport, but how we use it to build a better society.
Gordon Gogo Ouma
Advocate of the High Court of Kenya |Founder | Mchezaji Sports Platform
Global Masters in International Sports Law (ISDE Madrid)|AI Strategy & Governance (University of Pennsylvania)|Data Analytics in Sports Law (SUNY Buffalo) | AI & Law (University of Lund)
