Safaricom has announced a major investment of Ksh 65 billion ($500 million) over the next three years, marking its most ambitious move yet into artificial intelligence.
The telco aims to accelerate East Africa’s digital transformation by building robust AI infrastructure, supporting local innovation, and enhancing access to intelligent services across key sectors.
The investment was announced during the Connected Africa Summit in Diani, where Safaricom’s Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Cynthia Kropac, said the initiative is designed to go far beyond improving connectivity.
“AI is the next leap—just like mobile technology once leapfrogged landlines in Africa,” said Kropac.
“We’re laying the groundwork for digital experiences that are intelligent, inclusive, and tailored to Africa’s realities.”
From Telco to AI Catalyst
The shift positions Safaricom not just as a telecom operator, but as a strategic driver of Africa’s digital economy.
A central pillar of the plan involves empowering developers and enterprises to create homegrown AI solutions, particularly in agriculture, healthcare, and financial services.
To support this goal, over 5,000 Safaricom employees have already undergone training in AI fundamentals.
The company also plans to scale up digital literacy and developer programs to build what it calls “an intelligent economy.”
Kropac highlighted the need for harmonised data policies across the continent, warning that outdated legal frameworks could slow down Africa’s AI ambitions.
“Africa must stop being a passive consumer of global technologies. We have a rare opportunity to shape our own AI future,” she said.
Hardware, Access, and Affordability
A critical element of the strategy is ensuring access to affordable technology.
Through its East Africa Device Assembly facility, Safaricom is producing over 1.5 million 4G-enabled smartphones annually, retailing for less than $50 (approximately Ksh 6,500).
These devices are meant to reduce the digital divide, particularly among the more than 400 million Africans who remain offline.
Safaricom is also investing in edge computing and expanding its data infrastructure.
The company recently partnered with iXAfrica Data Centres to launch East Africa’s first AI-ready data centre in Nairobi, a major milestone in regional cloud and AI capacity.
Aligning with Africa’s AI Agenda
The announcement comes as momentum builds around the continent’s AI ambitions.
In April, 52 African countries signed the Africa Declaration on AI, outlining a shared commitment to inclusive AI development and backing a Ksh 7.8 trillion ($60 billion) continental fund.
Safaricom’s investment is closely aligned with these goals, positioning Kenya—and the wider East African region—as a rising hub for AI-driven solutions.
“We’re not just building infrastructure. We’re building opportunity,” said Kropac.
“From climate-smart agriculture to real-time health diagnostics and financial inclusion, we see AI as a catalyst for lasting impact.”
Safaricom’s bet on AI follows a broader trend among African technology leaders who are moving beyond connectivity and into the realm of intelligent digital services, redefining how communities, businesses, and governments interact with technology in the years ahead.
