Current trends and innovations
Kenyan manufacturers need to embrace robotics, AI and machine learning to remain competitive
‘Local manufacturers have had to tailor production and supply systems to meet the everchanging needs of the consumer, resulting in an increased uptake of ecommerce’
Many of the current trends within Kenya’s manufacturing industry have arisen from the need to survive the effects of COVID-19. Local industries had to strategise and implement immediate actions to ensure business continuity and ensure the safety of their employees at the workplace, focusing on strategic initiatives to accelerate preparations for recovery and increasing their resilience.
According to KAM, local manufacturers have had to tailor production and supply systems to meet the ever-changing needs of the consumer, resulting in an increased uptake of ecommerce, as more consumers shift to online shopping.
There has also been an increase in the uptake of automation by industry, in order to ensure business continuity and increase output. This was to ensure compliance with measures put in place to mitigate the spread of coronavirus, including social distancing, which required less employees to be present in the workplace.
Kenya is considered the leading technology and innovation hub in Africa. In order for its manufacturing sector to remain competitive it needs to keep up to date with technological advances such as robotics, AI and machine learning.
Globally, the AI in the manufacturing market is expected to be valued at $1.1 billion in 2020, and is likely to reach $16.7 billion by 2026, expanding at an annual rate of 57.2 percent during the forecast period.
Machine learning’s ability to collect and handle big data and its applications in real-time speech translation, robotics, and facial analysis is fuelling its growth in the manufacturing market. Indeed, it is something which Kenyan manufacturers will be monitoring closely.