WSO2, a leading enterprise software company, recently addressed the challenges of integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into business operations at WSO2Con Africa 2026. The company stressed that Kenyan businesses, particularly banks, telcos, and large enterprises, must prepare their existing systems to work seamlessly with AI agents. This involves connecting AI agents to the various systems that currently run their businesses, such as customer management, payment processing, and compliance.
Most large Kenyan organizations operate multiple separate systems for different functions, making it difficult for AI agents to access and process information efficiently. For instance, a bank's AI agent handling customer requests may require data from several systems to complete a task. Similarly, a telco's AI agent may need to interact with customer, billing, network, and service systems. WSO2 argues that many existing enterprise systems are designed primarily for interaction with other software or access by developers, rather than autonomous AI agents.
To address this challenge, WSO2 offers its Integration Platform, which provides a layer to connect enterprise systems and workflows. The platform features over 600 connectors that can be used to link applications and services. Additionally, WSO2 is utilizing the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to expose enterprise data and functionality to AI agents. MCP servers act as an interface through which an agent interacts with existing systems, enabling businesses to connect their AI agents to current infrastructure without requiring significant changes.
According to WSO2, adopting AI does not require Kenyan businesses to replace their existing software. Instead, they can integrate their AI agents with current systems, allowing agents to handle complex tasks that involve multiple departments or applications. This approach enables businesses to move beyond simple question-answering and leverage AI to support actual business processes. WSO2 also highlighted the importance of long-running workflows, which enable processes to pause and resume when necessary, such as during loan applications.
The integration of AI agents with existing systems also raises concerns about control and security. WSO2 addresses these concerns through its platform's human-in-the-loop guardrails, which limit the actions an agent can perform. Organizations can configure these guardrails to require human approval for transactions above a certain threshold. The company also provides tools for evaluating agents during development and monitoring their actions in production.
For Kenyan enterprises, the AI challenge extends beyond selecting an AI model or building an agent. Organizations that want agents to perform real business functions must consider how those agents access data, interact with existing applications, and operate within established controls. This makes integration a central consideration in how enterprises introduce AI into everyday operations, rather than a back-end technical concern.
By preparing their systems for AI integration, Kenyan businesses can unlock the full potential of AI and improve their operations. WSO2's approach enables businesses to leverage their existing infrastructure while still benefiting from the capabilities of AI. As the use of AI continues to grow, companies that prioritize integration will be better positioned to harness its power and drive innovation.
Key points
- WSO2 emphasizes the need for Kenyan enterprises to connect AI agents to existing systems for effective deployment.
- The company's Integration Platform provides a layer to connect enterprise systems and workflows, enabling businesses to integrate AI agents with current infrastructure.
- WSO2's approach enables businesses to leverage their existing infrastructure while still benefiting from the capabilities of AI.
