Safaricom hosted its flagship Innovation Day on Wednesday under the theme “Powering What’s Next: AI, Resilience & Sustainable Innovation.”
The high-level forum brought together over 100 decision-makers, technology partners, and enterprise customers, reinforcing Safaricom’s ambition to become Africa’s leading purpose-led technology company within five years.
The event spotlighted transformative solutions in cloud computing, cybersecurity, IoT, and artificial intelligence, underscoring Safaricom’s readiness to deliver secure, scalable, and future-proof digital infrastructure for businesses across Kenya.
“As digitisation accelerates across all sectors, businesses are seeking trusted partners who offer secure, AI-powered and scalable solutions. We aim to be a trusted partner for businesses in their digital transformation journey,” said Frankline Okata, Acting Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Safaricom.
AI Investment: A Billion-Shilling Bet on Kenya’s Digital Future
This year alone, Safaricom has invested close to Ksh 1 billion in its big data and AI platform, part of a broader $500 million regional strategy to build AI-ready infrastructure and developer ecosystems across East Africa.
In May 2025, the telco announced a strategic partnership with iXAfrica Data Centres, aimed at delivering Kenya’s first AI-ready data centre infrastructure. This move supports high-density computing, cloud platforms, and disaster recovery capabilities for enterprise clients.
“We have an AI strategy anchored on three pillars: customer experience, monetisation, and productivity,” said Charlotte Kepadisa, Head of Big Data and AI at Safaricom.
Safaricom’s AI applications already span fraud detection in M-PESA, predictive network maintenance, and personalised customer engagement via its chatbot, Zuri.
Repositioning Safaricom Business: From Telco to Tech Enabler
The Innovation Day also reinforced Safaricom Business’s commitment to powering enterprise growth and resilience across Kenya.
“Safaricom Business Innovation Day represents more than a showcase; it is a declaration of intent. We are no longer just a connectivity provider. We are evolving into a strategic digital transformation partner, helping businesses harness technology to become more resilient, competitive, and sustainable,” Okata emphasised.
The event stands as both a platform for innovation and a symbol of market repositioning, as Safaricom transitions from a traditional telco to a full-scale technology enabler, shaping the future of enterprise in Kenya and beyond.
