Kenya Eyes AI-Driven Growth as Safaricom Decode 4.0 Summit Concludes

Kenya’s ambition to utilise artificial intelligence as a key driver of economic growth was highlighted as Safaricom PLC concluded its three-day Decode 4.0 summit at the Sarit Centre in Nairobi.

The event, held from March 31 to April 2, 2026, brought together developers, innovators, policymakers, and global technology partners to shape the country’s digital future.

Held under the theme “Made of Kenya,” the summit, also marking Safaricom’s 25-year milestone, drew more than 100,000 participants both physically and virtually.

Safaricom Decode 4.0 Summit Brings Together Kenya’s Tech Ecosystem

Opening the summit, Safaricom’s Group Chief Technology and Information Officer James Maitai said Decode has evolved into a powerful platform for collaboration since its launch in 2022.

“When we launched Decode in 2022, the ambition was simple: to open up our engineering world, share knowledge, and create opportunities for developers, startups and partners to engage with technology meaningfully,” he said.

“Four years later, that ambition has grown into a movement, a space where innovators, industry leaders and policymakers come together to shape the future of our digital economy, not just in Kenya, but across the continent.”

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He added that the “Made of Kenya” theme reflects both a celebration of local innovation and a commitment to building an inclusive digital future.

“It is a statement of intent, a future that is digital-first, intelligently enabled, and built inclusively,” Maitai said.

Artificial intelligence dominated discussions throughout the summit, with stakeholders describing it as the foundation of Kenya’s next industrial leap. Safaricom’s Group Chief Finance and Innovation Officer Dilip Pal said the country stands at a critical turning point.

“Kenya is standing at the edge of its next industrial leap, and that future has a very clear name: Artificial Intelligence,” he said.

“However, AI transformation is not plug-and-play. It requires preparing the people, the data architecture, the governance, and the cultural shifts needed to move the meal from the kitchen to the table.”

He noted that Safaricom’s AI Core framework is designed to support this transition through trusted data, agentic intelligence and open collaboration.

“The question is not whether AI will change Kenya, it is whether we will prepare the kitchen well enough to serve a meal worthy of our people,” he added.

Government Calls for Inclusive Innovation

The government, through Principal Secretary for Broadcasting and Telecommunications Stephen Isaboke, emphasised the need for inclusive innovation.

“Innovation should empower every Kenyan, unlock new opportunities, and drive sustainable growth across the country,” he said, calling for collaboration between the public and private sectors to build Kenya’s digital future.

Over the three days, the summit featured a range of activities, discussions and hands-on sessions focused on key sectors shaping the digital economy.

The first day centred on artificial intelligence and intelligent systems, with sessions exploring Kenya’s position in the global AI landscape.

Discussions highlighted the role of Safaricom as a key enabler of digital infrastructure, providing the technological “rails” upon which future innovations can be built.

Participants also examined the growing importance of intelligent operations powered by agentic AI, alongside the urgent need to upskill the workforce to ensure it remains competitive in an increasingly digital economy.

On the second day, attention shifted to fintech, with M-PESA taking centre stage as a critical driver of financial inclusion.

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Sessions explored the evolution of financial services under Fintech 2.0, including innovations such as Shiriki Pay and Ziidi, and how these solutions are expanding beyond access to focus on financial health. Discussions also highlighted the development of intelligent financial systems, including products like money market funds and trading platforms, which are enabling users to better manage and grow their wealth.

The third day focused on the creative economy, showcasing how technology is transforming Kenya’s creative industries.

Speakers highlighted how digital platforms and improved connectivity are enabling creators to produce, distribute and monetise content on a global scale, turning the sector into a fast-growing pillar of the digital economy and opening up new opportunities for young innovators.

Beyond the keynote speeches and panel discussions, Decode 4.0 also featured builder labs, code labs and mentorship programmes, giving participants hands-on experience with emerging technologies and practical tools to develop solutions to real-world challenges.

Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa said the summit reflects Kenya’s growing role in the global technology landscape and its readiness to scale innovation beyond its borders.

“The Kenyan people are known for their ingenuity and resilience. Decode gives that energy a place to come alive. “By bringing developers, creators and problem-solvers together, we are creating solutions that can scale across Africa and beyond,” he said.

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Safaricom Group Group Chief Technology Officer James Maitai. PHOTO/Safaricom