Kenya Airways has partnered with Trace as the official airline partner for “Africa Forward — Le Concert,” a cultural event linked to the Africa-France Summit programme set for May 12, 2026 at the Kasarani Indoor Arena in Nairobi, according to a press release dated May 11, 2026.

The airline said the arrangement will see it support travel logistics for “hundreds of accredited travelers,” including artists, management teams and production staff arriving in Nairobi from multiple African and European cities. The event is being held under the patronage of President William Samoei Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron, the organisers said.

The concert’s line-up includes African and French diaspora artists such as Yemi Alade, Fally Ipupa, Youssou N’Dour and Abigail Chams, among others, according to the statement.

The partnership places Kenya Airways at the centre of a high-profile summit-linked programme that blends diplomacy, culture and international travel flows. For Kenya’s aviation and hospitality ecosystem, summit-related events typically increase demand for flights, accommodation, ground transport, event production services and security, while also serving as a showcase for Nairobi as a meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) destination.

Captain George Kamal, Ag. Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Kenya Airways, said the airline views the arrangement as part of its role in facilitating cross-border movement tied to major moments on the continent. “At Kenya Airways, we believe that travel is about more than moving from one destination to another but rather about enabling the moments that bring people, culture, and opportunity together,” Kamal said. “Africa Forward — Le Concert is one of those defining moments, and we are proud to play our part in welcoming Africa and the world to Nairobi and reinforcing our broader commitment to customer value and innovation.”

Olivier Laouchez, Executive Chairman at Trace, said the partnership is intended to support delivery of the event across audiences. “Trace and our Kenyan partners are proud to produce Africa Forward to place African creativity at the centre of a global conversation,” Laouchez said. “Partnering with Kenya Airways allows us to deliver that vision with the care and the connectivity this moment deserves and inspire audiences at scale.”

Organisers said the partnership will also extend to Trace’s “Futuristic Outfit Competition,” where two winners will receive complimentary return air tickets. The press release did not disclose the value of the tickets or routes covered.

In audience estimates provided by the organisers, Africa Forward — Le Concert is expected to host 4,500 VIP guests at the venue and reach an estimated 500 million viewers globally through Trace television channels and digital platforms, as well as TV5 Monde, YouTube, TikTok and African national TV networks. The press release did not provide an independent methodology for the viewership estimate.

For Kenya Airways, the deal highlights the commercial and brand value of strategic partnerships tied to large international gatherings, which can generate incremental passenger traffic while reinforcing Nairobi’s status as a regional hub. For Trace and other media platforms, Nairobi-based productions offer a route to pan-African distribution and advertiser interest aligned to music, fashion and youth culture audiences.

The next milestone will be the staging of the concert on May 12, 2026, alongside associated travel movements into Nairobi and broadcast distribution across partner networks and digital platforms, as outlined in the press release.

Smart Applications International Ltd (Smart) has launched Smart Detect AI, a claims intelligence platform the company says will help insurers and healthcare providers detect fraud, waste and abuse (FWA), reduce preventable claim rejections and improve the efficiency of healthcare claims management.

The Nairobi-headquartered health technology firm said the solution was unveiled on May 11, 2026, during the 5th Smart Summit held at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi. Smart said the platform analyses claims before and after submission using machine learning, behavioural analytics and clinical logic.

The launch comes as healthcare payers and providers in Kenya and across the region continue to contend with rising claim volumes, disputed bills and administrative errors that can strain cash flow for hospitals and increase payout pressure for insurers. In its statement, Smart said fraud schemes are often embedded in “normal-looking claims,” making them difficult to detect using traditional rule-based systems.

Smart also linked a significant share of claim rejections to preventable quality issues such as incomplete documentation, incorrect coding and inconsistencies identified only after submission. The company said these issues affect revenue predictability for providers and add operational cost across the ecosystem.

For insurers, Smart said Smart Detect AI supports post-submission risk detection by identifying “unusual billing patterns, potential member-provider collusion, abnormal visit frequencies, clinical inconsistencies, and location anomalies.” Smart said this is intended to enable earlier detection of hidden risks and more targeted investigations, reducing financial leakage.

For healthcare providers, Smart said the tool supports pre-submission claim validation by flagging errors such as missing documentation, incorrect coding, benefit mismatches, unjustified procedures and incomplete clinical rationale. Smart said improving claim quality at the source can increase first-pass approvals, lower rejection rates and protect cash flow.

Unlike traditional tools that may assess claims in isolation, Smart said Smart Detect AI evaluates patterns across providers, patients and time to generate what it described as “more accurate, explainable and actionable intelligence.” The company said this approach is aimed at generating deeper insights into billing behaviour and patient journeys.

“Healthcare systems today process claims at scale, but critical risks often remain hidden. Smart Detect AI introduces a new level of intelligence that enables stakeholders to move from reactive to proactive claims intelligence — strengthening transparency, improving efficiency, and ultimately protecting the integrity of healthcare systems,” said Barbara Simiyu, Head of Data Analytics at Smart Applications International, speaking at the launch.

In the Kenyan context, claims quality and fraud detection tools have become a growing area for investment as insurers tighten controls and providers seek faster reimbursement cycles. Claims analytics also supports wider efforts to improve financial integrity in health systems, particularly as digital health records and electronic claims processing expand in both public and private healthcare.

For the regional health technology market, the launch underscores how local firms are increasingly applying artificial intelligence and analytics to operational problems traditionally managed through manual audits and rules engines. If adopted at scale, such platforms could shift how payers and providers prioritise investigations, monitor provider performance and manage utilisation trends.

Smart said the next phase will be deployment among stakeholders across Kenya and Africa, targeting both insurers and healthcare providers. The company did not disclose pricing, rollout timelines or current customer uptake in its statement.

Smart Applications International said it is an ISO-certified healthcare technology company headquartered in Nairobi, delivering digital health, biometric identity and analytics platforms across Africa, and working with governments, healthcare providers, insurers and development organisations.

Safaricom PLC (NSE: SCOM) has launched Season 5 of its Chapa Dimba youth football tournament in Kisumu, rolling out new pathways that include international competition exposure, tertiary scholarships and expanded technology-enabled scouting for grassroots players.

The company said the fifth season, launched at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Mamboleo, Kisumu, will feature an All-Star team of 32 players selected from the tournament to represent Kenya at the Gothia Cup in Sweden. Safaricom described the Gothia Cup as the world’s largest youth football tournament and said the move replaces the international bootcamps used in previous editions.

The tournament will also provide tertiary scholarships to 150 outstanding players through the Safaricom Citizens of the Future programme, according to the press release.

Safaricom said it has adjusted the tournament’s eligibility age bracket to 15–18 years from 16–20 years in previous seasons, stating that the change is intended to support earlier talent identification and placement into professional football structures in Kenya and abroad.

“We are intentionally building pathways that combine sports, education, and technology to empower the next generation. Our goal is not just to develop footballers, but to nurture well-rounded young people who can positively transform their communities and the country,” said Peter Ndegwa, Group CEO, Safaricom PLC.

On player assessment, Safaricom said it will expand the use of technology for scouting and performance analysis. After introducing AI-powered GPS vests in the previous season, the company said it will now deploy VeO Cameras and MyScout AI devices beginning at county level. Safaricom said the tools will enable data-driven scouting by tracking metrics such as movement, positioning, intensity and sprint performance, and will support the creation of digital player profiles accessible to clubs and scouts.

“This season, we are taking technology deeper into grassroots football because we believe no talent should go unnoticed. Through data and digital player profiling, we are creating more structured pathways for young players to access opportunities locally and globally,” Ndegwa said.

Safaricom said Season 5 will be held across eight regions and organised in five stages: ward level, county level, inter-county level, regional level and national finals. Registration is open for both boys’ and girls’ teams via the Chapa Dimba website, the company said.

National winners in both boys’ and girls’ categories will each receive KES 1 million, Safaricom said, adding that county and regional prizes and individual awards—including Most Valuable Player, Top Scorer and Best Goalkeeper—will also be issued.

The tournament is run in partnership with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), Safaricom said in its notes to editors. The company positions the programme as part of its wider youth empowerment agenda, implemented alongside initiatives including the Safaricom Foundation, M-PESA Foundation and Citizens of the Future programme.

For Kenya’s sports and business ecosystem, the latest changes signal a tighter link between corporate sponsorship, education outcomes and measurable talent pipelines. Expanded scouting tools at county level could also increase the visibility of players outside traditional urban centres, while the Gothia Cup pathway provides a defined international platform for elite youth talent.

Safaricom said Chapa Dimba, launched in 2017, has produced players who have progressed into local and international football, including Benson Omalla, Bryton Otieno, Austine Odongo, Derrick Oketch, Jentrix Shikangwa, Marion Serenge and Mercy Akoth, among others. The company also said some former participants have represented Kenya at international competitions, including the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Next, the tournament will proceed through its ward-to-national structure, with the All-Star selection and scholarship beneficiaries expected to emerge from the season’s scouting and performance assessments, Safaricom said.

Vivo Energy Kenya’s Shell Club loyalty programme cleared outstanding medical bills for new mothers at Pumwani Maternity Hospital in Nairobi on May 8, 2026, as part of Mother’s Day activities, the company said in a statement.

Vivo Energy Kenya, which distributes and markets Shell-branded products and services in the country, said the support was intended to ease the financial burden on families and recognise the role of mothers in society. The firm did not disclose the value of the bills settled.

The initiative was framed around the 2026 Mother’s Day theme, “The Great Unburdening,” which, according to the statement, emphasises the need to support mothers by reducing daily responsibilities and emotional and social pressures.

In Kenya, maternity-related healthcare costs can be a significant household expense, particularly for low-income families and those without comprehensive health insurance coverage. Pumwani Maternity Hospital is one of Nairobi’s largest public maternity facilities, serving high patient volumes and often drawing patients from across the city and neighbouring counties. Corporate-led bill-clearing initiatives have become a common form of support for public hospitals and patients facing treatment-related debt.

Peter Murungi, Managing Director of Vivo Energy Kenya, said the programme was structured to provide targeted relief at a major public maternity facility.

“Motherhood is one of life’s most important journeys, and this Mother’s Day, we wanted to celebrate mothers in a meaningful and impactful way. Through Kameivana Na Shell Club, we are proud to stand with families at Pumwani Maternity Hospital by easing some of the financial burden and sharing in their joy,” Murungi said.

The company said the activity was delivered through Shell Club, its customer loyalty programme, which it described as combining rewards with social impact initiatives. Vivo Energy Kenya added that it plans to continue investing in health-focused programmes and pursuing opportunities that support social and economic progress.

For Kenya’s downstream petroleum marketers, loyalty programmes have increasingly become a key tool for customer retention as competition intensifies across retail fuel networks and adjacent convenience services. Tying such programmes to community initiatives can also form part of broader corporate social responsibility strategies, particularly in health and education, sectors that continue to attract private support amid constraints on public resources.

Vivo Energy Group operates in multiple African markets under the Engen and Shell brands and reported a network of more than 4,000 service stations across 28 markets, according to the statement’s company notes.

Going forward, Vivo Energy Kenya did not outline whether the Pumwani initiative will be replicated at other facilities or become an annual programme. However, it said Shell Club will continue running initiatives linked to health and community wellbeing.

Safaricom PLC (NSE: SCOM) on Thursday announced financial results for the year ended March 31, 2026, reporting Group service revenue of KES 414.1 billion and net income of KES 100 billion, as it maintained growth in Kenya while scaling its Ethiopia operations.

In a press release dated May 7, 2026, the telecoms and mobile money operator said it will pay a total dividend of KES 80.1 billion, equivalent to KES 2 per share, comprising an interim dividend of KES 0.85 per share and a proposed final dividend of KES 1.15 per share, subject to shareholder approval. Safaricom said the total dividend represents a 66.7% increase from the previous year.

The company said customer numbers across the Group reached 71.6 million during the period, reflecting operations in Kenya and Ethiopia.

Safaricom’s results matter for Kenya’s business landscape because the company is one of the Nairobi Securities Exchange’s most heavily traded counters and a major contributor to corporate tax receipts and household income through dividends. The operator is also a key channel for digital payments and credit through M-PESA, which underpins significant volumes of retail transactions and small business cashflows.

Peter Ndegwa, Group Chief Executive Officer, Safaricom PLC, said performance in Kenya helped offset headwinds in Ethiopia. “We delivered strong performance, with acceleration in the second half, surpassing Group guidance with outstanding Kenya performance offsetting the impact of currency reforms and the timing of market repair actions in Ethiopia,” Ndegwa said.

In Kenya, Safaricom said service revenue grew by 10% to KES 400.8 billion, while earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) rose 15.3% to KES 182.3 billion.

Adil Khawaja, Chairman, Safaricom PLC, said the Group maintained profitability while continuing investment in Ethiopia. “We have sustained strong growth in service revenue, driven by double digit growth in Kenya and accelerated growth in Ethiopia, while maintaining profitability despite continued investment in Ethiopia,” Khawaja said. He added that the company was “beginning to see the benefits of scale in Ethiopia, with improving commercial momentum and narrowing start up costs.”

Safaricom said Ethiopia contributed 12.5% of the Group’s service revenue growth during the year. The company reported that subscriber numbers in Ethiopia rose to 13.6 million, with network coverage reaching 60% of the population supported by 3,504 sites. Safaricom also reported that service revenue in Ethiopia grew 86.6% to KES 14.1 billion.

Mobile data revenue rose 18.3% to KES 92.9 billion, while M-PESA revenue increased 13.4% to KES 182.7 billion, according to the company. Safaricom said M-PESA in Kenya had 41 million active customers during the year under review.

The performance underscores continued consumer demand for mobile broadband and the centrality of mobile money to Kenya’s payments ecosystem. For investors, the announced dividend implies sustained cash generation, although the final payout remains subject to approval. For the wider market, Safaricom’s Ethiopia trajectory remains a key variable in the Group’s medium-term profitability as the operator balances capital expenditure, regulatory changes and currency considerations in the new market.

Dilip Pal, Group Chief Finance and Innovation Officer, Safaricom PLC, said the company will continue investing in capacity and systems while moving into the next year of its strategy. “We continue to invest in our network and IT systems to support capacity upgrades and user experience. Ethiopia's performance shows reduced losses relative to the previous period, greatly boosting Group performance,” Pal said.

Safaricom said it would move into the second year of its Vision 2030 strategy, with the proposed final dividend expected to be tabled for shareholder approval in line with company and regulatory requirements.

KCB Volleyball Ladies will return to Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) League action with a four-day run of fixtures at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi, starting Thursday, May 7, 2026, where they are scheduled to play Post Bank, Kenyatta University, A-Plus VC and Kenya Army.

In a press release dated May 6, 2026, the club said the first match will be against Post Bank on Thursday evening, followed by a Friday noon encounter with Kenyatta University. The team will then face A-Plus VC on Saturday morning before closing the sequence with a Sunday afternoon match against Kenya Army.

The domestic fixtures come weeks after KCB ended its continental campaign as silver medallists at the 2026 Africa Club Championship in Egypt. The club said it lost the final to Egypt’s Al Ahly and will now redirect its efforts to local competition, including the KVF League and the Kenya Cup Volleyball Tournament.

The return of KCB’s volleyball programme to local action places renewed attention on corporate-backed sports teams in Kenya, where banks and other large employers have historically played a significant role in sustaining elite clubs. Beyond branding considerations, such programmes can influence sports-related spending—from match-day logistics to equipment procurement and player welfare—while also contributing to the visibility of domestic leagues.

Speaking ahead of the matches, KCB Volleyball Ladies captain Mercy Moim said the team intends to apply lessons from the Africa Club Championship campaign to domestic competition. “We had an impressive run in Egypt, and I believe we have a few lessons that we have picked along the way that we would wish to emulate in the local league. The squad is strong and we are looking forward to an impressive run throughout the week,” Moim said.

The club said the squad blends youth and experienced players and will use the disappointment of the continental final as motivation in the domestic run-in.

Head coach Japheth Munala said the technical bench is working to address issues identified during the continental tournament. “We have what it takes to go for the local titles. We are working with the ladies to fix the gaps we have noticed while in Egypt and once we close on this, we will be ready to go for anything,” Munala said.

For the Kenyan volleyball market, KCB’s packed schedule offers an immediate measure of how quickly teams can translate continental form into domestic results. The four matches in four days also underscore the demands of local competition calendars and the importance of squad depth—factors that can shape performance outcomes and player management across the league.

Next, KCB will begin the run with Post Bank on May 7 at Nyayo Stadium, with the results likely to influence its momentum in the KVF League and its stated push for the Kenya Cup Volleyball Tournament later in the season, according to the press release.

Air France has introduced a rotating Business Class menu created by Michelin-starred chef Mory Sacko on its Nairobi–Paris route, the airline said in a statement dated May 4, 2026 in Nairobi.

According to the press release, the airline will roll out 12 new dishes over the coming months for customers flying from Nairobi, with options spanning vegetarian, fish, red meat and poultry selections. Air France said some dishes are already available, including “gnocchi with corn cream” and a seafood dish featuring “sea bass and prawns in a spicy bouillabaisse-style broth served with poached vegetables.”

The move is part of Air France’s broader strategy to differentiate its long-haul product on African routes as competition intensifies among international carriers serving key hubs such as Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. The Nairobi–Paris route is an important link for business and leisure travel between Kenya and Europe, supporting tourism, trade and connectivity for multinational firms and regional organisations with operations in Nairobi.

Chef Sacko, who the airline said has Senegalese and Malian heritage, is known for combining French and West African influences. Air France noted that his Paris restaurant, MoSuke, earned a Michelin star after opening in 2020. The press release also cited a later collaboration with Louis Vuitton in Saint-Tropez as part of his international profile.

Joris Holtus, Air France–KLM regional General Manager for East and Southern Africa, Nigeria and Ghana, said the partnership is intended to reflect both French culinary positioning and local influences across the airline’s African network.

“Our partnership with the global gastronomy icon Chef Sacko reinforces Air France’s long-standing ambition to champion French culinary excellence at altitude while embracing the richness of local cultures in its global network. We are delighted to introduce his unique menu to our loyal customers across Africa,” Holtus said.

Air France said the Nairobi introduction will be followed by a phased rollout across other sub-Saharan African destinations during 2026–2027, naming Cotonou, Dakar, Libreville and Lagos as markets where the menus will be introduced progressively.

For Kenya’s aviation and hospitality landscape, airline product upgrades on international routes can influence passenger choice, particularly among premium travellers and corporate accounts that prioritise service consistency on long-haul travel. Nairobi is a regional gateway for East Africa, and enhancements by foreign carriers can add pressure on airlines operating out of the city to keep pace on onboard experience, lounge offerings and loyalty incentives.

In its background notes, Air France said it is part of the Air France-KLM Group alongside KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Transavia, with hubs at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam-Schiphol. The group “connect[ing] more than 300 destinations worldwide with a fleet of over 500 aircraft,” according to the statement. Air France also said the Flying Blue loyalty programme has more than 30 million members, and that Air France and KLM are members of the SkyTeam alliance, which includes 19 airlines.

Looking ahead, the immediate milestone for travellers on the Nairobi–Paris service is the gradual introduction of the full set of 12 dishes in Business Class, while the wider regional indicator will be the pace at which Air France extends the Sacko menus to additional African routes during the 2026–2027 period, as outlined in the press release.

Spotify has concluded a two-day recording and education programme in Nairobi, held in partnership with global music business firm ONErpm, aimed at supporting emerging artists from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, according to a media statement dated May 4, 2026.

The workshop, run under Spotify’s Fresh Finds initiative, brought together a cross-section of artists, producers, mentors and songwriters for collaborative studio sessions and professional development. The participating artists named in the statement were We Are Nubia, Zaituni, Ila Nia, Kahuti, Genes1s, Hood Boyz, Phany Love, Vyroota and Hildah Watiri. Producers included SoFresh, Run, ODZZ and JAE5, while mentors were Watendawili and Joshua Baraka. Songwriters listed were Watendawili and Savannah.

The event forms part of Spotify’s wider strategy in Sub-Saharan Africa to identify and develop early-stage talent, as streaming platforms play a growing role in how music is distributed, monetised and marketed. For Kenya’s creative economy, such initiatives are increasingly tied to export potential, IP monetisation and the broader digital economy value chain, including studio services, live events and brand partnerships.

The organisers said the Nairobi sessions combined creative production with business training. According to the statement, the programme included “Creative Masterclasses” built around collaborative recording sessions, alongside media training focused on storytelling and brand positioning. The workshops also addressed commercial aspects of the music industry, including platform analytics and fan engagement strategies.

Victor Okpala, Fresh Finds Africa Lead for Spotify Sub-Saharan Africa, said the programme is designed to support artist development beyond distribution. He said Spotify’s focus is on “artists who can tell African stories in an African voice” and then be supported towards global audiences.

“At Spotify, our goal is to equip creators with the required toolkit that balances creative output with commercial intelligence. The focus remains on sustainable growth, ensuring that when Kenyan, Ugandan, and Tanzanian artists step onto the world stage, they do so with a solid professional foundation,” Okpala said.

Osagie Osarenkhoe, Director of A&R & Operations (Africa) at ONErpm, said the partnership aligned with ONErpm’s focus on emerging artists and pointed to rising global attention on music from the region.

“Supporting emerging artists is central to what ONErpm stands for, so partnering with Spotify on this edition of Fresh Finds was exactly the kind of initiative we believe in,” Osarenkhoe said. “What made this experience even more meaningful was seeing artists, producers and songwriters, come together to connect, create, learn from one another, and make incredible music.”

A notable component of the sessions, according to the statement, was guidance on Spotify’s editorial processes. Maxwell Nguku, Spotify Editorial Lead for East Africa, addressed concerns around playlist manipulation and said Spotify has “a strictly meritocratic foundation” for editorial decisions and “zero-tolerance” for pay-for-play practices. He cautioned that legitimate entities should not solicit payment in exchange for playlist placement, framing organic discovery as a priority.

For Kenya and the wider East African market, the emphasis on editorial integrity and platform literacy reflects a growing need for transparency as more independent artists rely on digital distribution. Industry observers have increasingly linked creator education—covering rights management, audience analytics and marketing—to stronger revenue outcomes for artists and the service providers that support them.

Joshua Baraka, who participated in the sessions, said the workshop offered practical insights beyond studio work, including how to build a brand for international markets. He also cited direct access to Spotify staff as significant for independent artists, according to the statement.

Looking ahead, Spotify said Fresh Finds is positioned as part of its ongoing discovery and development efforts in the region, while ONErpm pointed to its continued expansion across Africa. The companies did not disclose financial commitments or the timeline for the next East Africa edition of the workshop.

Spotify has published a recap of its “Feature Mixer” event held in Nairobi, where the audio streaming company showcased a set of in-app features to creators, cultural tastemakers and media personalities as part of an education-focused product engagement.

According to the statement distributed on behalf of Spotify by communications firm Irvine Partners, the Nairobi session used a “speed-dating” format in which guests rotated through six short demonstrations designed to explain what each feature does, why it matters and how to use it in the app.

The company said the event included demos of tools such as Jam, Personalization features and an “Offline Bundle” that it described as designed to address local data and network challenges. The evening also included live performances by Kenyan acts Vijana Barubaru and Zaituni, Spotify said.

The recap comes as global streaming platforms continue to compete for listener attention in Kenya’s fast-growing digital entertainment market, where mobile data costs and network reliability can shape product adoption and usage patterns. Feature sets that reduce data consumption and allow offline listening have become a key consideration for users and a potential lever for subscriber growth.

In the Nairobi session, “the evening’s core mechanic saw guests moved through six ‘feature dates’ in quick rotations,” Spotify said in the release. Each station was led by a “Feature Avatar” who ran a three-minute segment featuring a live demo and a teach-back moment, where guests explained the feature in their own words “to ensure a deep understanding of the product,” the company added.

Spotify outlined several features highlighted during the event, including Jam, which it said focused on shared queue control for group listening, and a DJ Bundle, which the company said explored how listeners can shape music journeys “in real time.” It also cited a Personalisation Bundle featuring daylist and Daily Mixes, Mixed Playlists that enable track transitions, and Collaborative Playlists aimed at shared curation.

Spotify said the “Offline Bundle addressed challenges like low-data usage and fluctuating network coverage,” positioning it as relevant to day-to-day connectivity constraints in the market.

The company also described a “match reveal” component, in which attendees received “personalised Top Feature Matches delivered via printed guide cards.” Spotify said the one-page guides were intended as take-home explainers to help participants replicate the steps and share “how-to” content with their audiences.

While Spotify did not disclose attendance figures, partnership announcements or investment details tied to the event, the Nairobi activation underscores how global consumer tech companies are increasingly using local creator ecosystems to drive product understanding and adoption. For Kenya’s digital media economy, such sessions can translate into more feature-led content creation, potentially influencing user discovery, playlisting behaviour and time spent on platforms.

Spotify said the event concluded with a DJ set blending Amapiano, Afrobeats and Gengetone, followed by “a surprise live performance from Vijana Barubaru and Zaituni.”

In the release, Spotify also shared global user figures, stating it has “713 million users, including 281 million Spotify Premium subscribers, in over 180 markets.” In a separate “Spotify in numbers” line, it cited “751 million monthly active users / 290 million subscription users” and availability in “over 184 markets,” without explaining the difference between the two sets of figures.

Spotify has not announced whether the Feature Mixer format will be repeated in other Kenyan cities or expanded across East Africa, but the company’s focus on offline and personalisation tools suggests continued emphasis on product localisation for markets where connectivity and affordability remain central to streaming usage.

Industry leaders, policymakers and technology stakeholders meeting at the 15th annual Connected Africa Summit in Nairobi have called for the removal of structural and regulatory frictions to unlock seamless connectivity across Africa, according to a statement issued on Tuesday.

The summit is being held at the Edge Convention Centre and is positioned as a forum for advancing Africa’s digital transformation agenda, with speakers arguing that progress will depend on stronger cross-border policy alignment and collaboration among governments and the private sector.

In remarks during a panel discussion, Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa said deeper cooperation between the public and private sectors is necessary to scale connectivity and digitise services across the continent.

“To unlock Africa's full potential, we must deepen collaboration between governments and the private sector. By working together, we can create enabling policies, invest in the right infrastructure and accelerate public sector digitisation in a way that is inclusive, scalable and impactful for millions of Africans,” Ndegwa said.

The call comes as East African economies accelerate investment in digital infrastructure and online public services, while grappling with fragmented regulations across borders that can raise the cost of rolling out regional platforms and services. Kenya, as a regional technology and financial services hub, has been central to these discussions, particularly around payments interoperability, data governance, licensing, and spectrum policy.

Safaricom said it used the summit to showcase capabilities of its “converged services” model, which brings together its Enterprise Business, Financial Services, Public Sector Digitisation & Transformation (PSDT), and Technology teams. The company said the structure is intended to support government-facing digital solutions that can be deployed at scale.

Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya Prof. Kithure Kindiki also urged greater use of public-private partnerships, adding that citizen participation should be part of digital transformation efforts.

“The public sector does not have a monopoly on resources. In order to achieve inclusion in the digital market, we must collaborate with the private sector and the citizens themselves,” Kindiki said.

For Kenya’s business landscape, the summit’s focus on harmonised policy and seamless connectivity has implications for telecoms, fintech, logistics, and cross-border trade, where consistent rules can lower compliance burdens and enable firms to expand digital services across multiple markets. Industry executives have repeatedly argued that uneven regulation can slow investment decisions and delay deployment of shared infrastructure.

Safaricom, which is listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange, said it serves more than 60 million customers across Kenya and Ethiopia. The company reported that its total economic value was estimated at KES 1.1 trillion (US$8.5 billion) for the 12 months to March 2025, and that annual revenues were close to KES 388 billion as at March 2025.

The operator also cited M-PESA’s role in financial inclusion, saying the mobile money platform helped lift financial inclusion in Kenya to 84.8% in 2024 from 26.7% in 2006, and generated more than KES 161 billion in revenue in FY25.

Safaricom said the summit continues into its third day on Wednesday, with speakers expected to push for renewed commitment and coordinated action on connectivity, policy alignment and a shared vision for Africa’s digital future.