President William Ruto with other Russian officials take a ride to smart city development in Moscow on October 29, 2026/PCS

President William Ruto has said Kenya could borrow lessons from Russia’s smart city development model as the government explores technology-driven approaches to housing, urban planning and public service delivery.

Ruto, who is in Russia for the third Russia-Africa summit, said the Smart City Development on the outskirts of Moscow demonstrates how integrated planning and technology can support the creation of modern, sustainable and liveable urban communities.

The President made the remarks after touring the 1,140-acre development, which is spearheaded by Sberbank Group, Russia’s largest financial conglomerate.

The project features 65,000 housing units, office spaces, a hospital, schools and a waste management facility, alongside environmentally sustainable infrastructure.

“The Smart City Development on the outskirts of Moscow offers valuable lessons for Kenya as we explore innovative approaches to urban development, dignified and sustainable living, and the integration of technology into public service delivery,” Ruto said.

He said the development illustrated the importance of planning housing alongside essential services and infrastructure to create communities where residents can access workplaces, healthcare and education within an integrated urban environment.

The tour comes as the Kenyan government pursues its affordable housing programme, which seeks to increase access to decent housing while creating jobs and supporting economic growth.

Ruto said Kenya could draw from the Russian experience in developing urban centres that combine residential housing, commercial facilities and public services while incorporating environmentally sustainable systems.

The President also expressed interest in expanding cooperation between Kenya and Sberbank Group, particularly in the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in critical public sectors.

Smart city development in Moscow, Russia/PCS

He said the financial conglomerate was ready to partner with Kenya in exploring technology-based solutions to improve healthcare and education.

“I was particularly encouraged by Sberbank Group’s readiness to partner with Kenya in harnessing Artificial Intelligence to transform healthcare and education, improving service delivery and expanding access to quality services for our country,” he said.

AI applications in healthcare could support more efficient service delivery, while technology in education could help expand access to learning resources and improve the delivery of educational services.

The proposed cooperation would provide an opportunity for Kenya to explore how emerging technologies can complement ongoing efforts to modernise public institutions and improve service delivery.

Ruto’s visit to Russia is part of the government’s broader efforts to strengthen international partnerships and identify opportunities for cooperation in technology, investment and development.

The engagement with Sberbank Group could open discussions on how Russian expertise in smart city planning and digital services can be adapted to Kenya’s development priorities.

However, the extent and timelines of any potential cooperation in AI, healthcare and education were not immediately specified.