Safaricom PLC hosted the Safaricom Cybersecurity Summit 2025 at the Mövenpick Hotel, Nairobi, under the theme “Powering Progress. Securing Growth.”
The forum convened business leaders, government officials, regulators, and technology experts to explore how Kenya can strengthen its defences against a rising tide of cyber threats.
The summit came at a critical moment. In Q1 2025 alone, the National KE-CIRT/CC detected over 2.5 billion cyber threat events, including phishing scams, ransomware, and large-scale system disruptions targeting finance, healthcare, energy, and government services.
“Cybercrime is a challenge no single institution can solve alone,” said Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa. “As more Kenyans embrace digital tools, the responsibility to keep them safe becomes greater.”
AI-Powered Innovation at the Heart of Safaricom’s Strategy
Ndegwa used the summit to highlight Safaricom’s strategic pivot toward AI-driven cybersecurity and fraud prevention, a core theme in the company’s HY26 financial results.
Safaricom’s new Fintech 2.0 platform, a cloud-native, AI-embedded system, now powers M-PESA with:
- Real-time fraud detection and risk scoring
- Self-healing capabilities and predictive monitoring
- Support for 12,000+ transactions per second
- Features like shared wallets, split payments, and tap-to-pay
“We have seen a huge reduction in fraud incidents thanks to AI,” Ndegwa said. “It’s helping us detect identity theft, prevent social engineering, and deliver worry-free digital services.”
AI also powers Safaricom’s customer experience, enabling smart pricing, personalised offers, and chatbot-driven support, all designed to enhance trust and efficiency across its platforms.
Strengthening Kenya’s Cyber Defences
The summit featured keynote sessions, expert panels, hands-on training, and interactive showcases of security tools. Participants gained practical insights into securing digital infrastructure while emphasising inclusion and accessibility in cybersecurity.
Safaricom’s commitment to data protection includes earning ISO 27701 certification, an international standard for responsible data and privacy management.
25 Years of Impact and Innovation
Coinciding with its 25th anniversary, Safaricom celebrated its journey from 17,000 subscribers in 2000 to over 60 million customers across Kenya and Ethiopia. The company’s initiatives—Shangwe @25, Citizens of the Future, and the Green Box campaign—reflect its purpose-led approach to technology, inclusion, and community empowerment.
“We’ve transformed over 22 million lives through health, education, and economic empowerment,” Ndegwa said. “Our purpose is clear—transforming lives while building a sustainable business.”
Kenya’s Role as a Regional Cybersecurity Leader
The Safaricom Cybersecurity Summit 2025 positions Kenya as a regional hub for digital security innovation, fostering collaboration across sectors to build a resilient, inclusive digital future.
Safaricom’s AI-powered platforms, enterprise tools, and public-private partnerships are driving Kenya’s digital transformation anchored in trust, innovation, and shared prosperity.
