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.

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.

Policymakers and technology industry leaders on Monday convened in Nairobi for the 15th annual Connected Africa Summit and called for the removal of structural and regulatory frictions to enable seamless connectivity across Africa.

According to a statement issued from the summit at the Edge Convention Centre on April 28, 2026, participants said Africa’s push toward a unified digital market will require greater policy alignment and collaboration among governments, regulators and private-sector players.

The summit discussions framed connectivity as a prerequisite for digital public services, private innovation and cross-border trade. Speakers cited Africa’s youthful population, growing digital adoption and expanding infrastructure as foundations, but said fragmentation in rules and implementation continues to slow progress.

Safaricom Plc’s Group Chief Executive Officer Peter Ndegwa used a panel session to argue that governments and the private sector must coordinate more closely on infrastructure and digitisation priorities.

“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,” Mr Ndegwa said.

Safaricom said it used the summit to showcase what it described as the digital capabilities of its “converged services” model, bringing together its enterprise unit, financial services, public sector digitisation and transformation team and technology functions. The company said the approach is meant to support governments with what it termed secure and scalable digital solutions.

Kenya’s Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki also called for public-private partnerships and greater citizen involvement in digital transformation programmes.

“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,” Prof. Kindiki said.

The summit’s focus on harmonisation matters for Kenya’s business environment because local telecoms, fintechs and enterprise technology firms increasingly build products that must operate across multiple jurisdictions, each with different licensing, data protection, spectrum and consumer rules. Regulatory alignment can lower compliance costs and reduce friction for services such as mobile money, cross-border payments, digital identity and e-government platforms.

For listed firms such as Safaricom, policy direction around public sector digitisation and regional interoperability can influence future investment decisions and growth opportunities in enterprise services and fintech. In its statement, Safaricom said it serves more than 60 million customers across Kenya and Ethiopia and estimated its total economic value at KES 1.1 trillion (US$8.5 billion) for the 12 months through March 2025. The company also reported annual revenues of close to KES 388 billion as at March 2025 and said its networks cover more than 99% of Kenya’s population.

Safaricom further reported that M-PESA generated over KES 161 billion in revenue in FY25 and that financial inclusion in Kenya reached 84.8% in 2024, up from 26.7% in 2006, attributing the shift to mobile money adoption.

The summit is set to continue into a third day on April 29, 2026, with organisers and participants calling for renewed commitments and coordinated action. The discussions are expected to continue centring on policy alignment, infrastructure investment and governance frameworks intended to support Africa’s digital market ambitions.

Mohit Mediratta, a professional golfer sponsored by Safaricom, won the opening leg of the PGK Equator Tour Second Edition at Vetlab Sports Club in Nairobi, organisers said on April 27, 2026. Mediratta finished on 284 (four under par) and sealed the title with a hole-in-one during the four-day tournament.

According to the press release, Mediratta topped what was described as a “tightly contested corporate leaderboard,” finishing three shots clear of the nearest challengers. Fellow Safaricom-backed golfers Mutahi Kibugu and Samuel Chege finished joint second on 287, alongside Jastas Madoya, who also posted 287.

The PGK Equator Tour is a multi-leg series staged across Kenyan golf courses and supported by corporate sponsors. The organisers said the tour will feature 11 courses countrywide this year, with the second leg scheduled for Thika Sports Club following the Vetlab event.

Mediratta said the win was a confidence boost ahead of the remaining legs. “I am excited to have won the first leg. The hole-in-one came as a complete surprise, it’s a rare moment for any golfer, and I am truly happy about it. The course was quite challenging and the competition was tight, but I managed to stay focused,” Mediratta said in the statement.

He added that the time between events had helped his preparation for the tour. “The break has given me valuable time to practice and prepare, and I am hopeful for a strong rest of the season as I aim to finish top together with my team. This win gives me great confidence, and I am really looking forward to the next legs. I hope to maintain this form throughout the season,” he said.

Rounding out the top 10 were Greg Snow and C.J. Wangai on 289; Robinson Owiti and debutant John Lejirma on 290; Dismas Indiza on 291; and Njoroge Kibugu, Daniel Nduva and David Wakhu on 292, according to the organisers.

The tournament attracted 52 of Kenya’s top professionals, including six debutants, while three women participated after transitioning from the amateur ranks, the press release said. The organisers positioned the series as part of a wider effort to deepen the competitive calendar for local professionals and increase exposure to higher-level tournament conditions.

For Kenya’s sports business and sponsorship market, the tour highlights how large corporates are continuing to finance domestic sporting properties as brand platforms and as talent-development pipelines. The organisers said the tour is backed by several sponsors, including Safaricom, NCBA, Betika, Kenya Airways, Visa, Britam and Johnnie Walker.

The press release linked the tour’s competitive pathway to larger events, saying it is intended to help prepare Kenyan players for international competitions such as the Magical Kenya Open and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. With the first leg completed, attention turns to how standings points from successive legs will shape the “road to the Magical Kenya Open qualification,” as described by the organisers.

The next milestone for players will be the second leg at Thika Sports Club, where early leaders will seek to consolidate their positions while challengers attempt to close the points gap.

Safaricom (NSE: SCOM) has committed KES 22 million to serve as the title sponsor of the 2026 Connected Africa Summit, scheduled for next week in Nairobi, according to a company press release dated April 23, 2026.

The summit brings together policymakers, regulators and private-sector players to discuss Africa’s digital transformation, at a time when governments are ramping up programmes to modernise public services and expand digital access.

Safaricom Chief Executive Officer Peter Ndegwa said the next phase of digitalisation requires solutions that can operate reliably at national scale. “Africa’s digital journey is at a point where it is no longer about what is possible, but what can work at scale. There has been strong progress in digitisation, but the focus now is on making systems work in a consistent and practical way,” Ndegwa said.

He added that public-sector digitisation increasingly depends on implementation partners who can deliver end-to-end systems. “Governments need partners who can deliver integrated, secure, and practical solutions that improve how citizens experience services every day. That means building solutions that are connected, secure, and designed around how people use services,” Ndegwa said.

Safaricom said it has supported the Connected Africa Summit since its inception in 2009, positioning its involvement as part of long-running public-private collaboration on regional ICT priorities. “We have supported the summit since its inception in 2009 and in that journey, we have seen firsthand how collaboration across government, industry, and partners has shaped the region’s digital agenda,” Ndegwa said.

The company linked those collaborations to outcomes such as connectivity build-out and growth in digital infrastructure. “Together, we have contributed to key milestones, from infrastructure expansion to the growth of the digital superhighway. These are not just policy wins. They are foundations for a functioning digital economy,” he said.

The announcement comes as Kenya and several African governments push forward digital public service delivery—covering identity systems, payments, citizen service portals and sector-specific platforms—raising demand for secure connectivity, interoperable systems and resilience in critical infrastructure. For Kenya’s business landscape, the summit is typically a forum where public procurement priorities, technology standards and partnerships are discussed, shaping opportunities for telecoms operators, fintechs, systems integrators and cloud and cybersecurity providers.

In the press release’s background section, Safaricom said it serves more than 60 million customers across Kenya and Ethiopia and reported annual revenues of close to KES 388 billion as at March 2025. The company also cited an estimated total economic value of KES 1.1 trillion (US$8.5 billion) for the 12 months through March 2025, and said its network coverage spans more than 99% of Kenya’s population across 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G in aggregate.

Safaricom further said M-PESA generated over KES 161 billion in revenue in FY25 and cited an adult financial inclusion rate of 84.8% in 2024, up from 26.7% in 2006, attributing the figures to its mobile money platform’s role in enabling transactions, savings and credit through mobile phones.

Looking ahead, the title sponsorship places Safaricom at the centre of a high-profile policy and industry meeting that may influence regional priorities on digital infrastructure, government services and cybersecurity. The company did not provide additional breakdowns of how the KES 22 million will be spent, but said the funds are intended to support the success of the conference.

Safaricom PLC and Sprite on April 11, 2026 hosted a “Hook’d on Fresh” content creation masterclass at Pwani University in Kilifi, bringing together more than 500 students for sessions on monetising content on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube, according to a joint statement.

The event, held on Friday, focused on helping students move from casual posting to income-generating content through training on trend identification, audience growth, brand partnerships and building sustainable revenue streams. The programme also covered personal finance, including saving and investing early, and included guidance on data privacy, the organisers said.

The masterclass comes as more young Kenyans increasingly look to digital platforms for alternative income sources amid growing internet access and smartphone use. For Kenya’s business landscape, the shift is drawing attention from telecoms, brands and financial services providers that view youth creators as both customers and distribution channels, particularly as digital advertising and influencer marketing become more formalised.

Safaricom said the Pwani University stop is part of a broader “Hook’d on Fresh” university series that has previously been rolled out at Africa Nazarene University, the University of Eldoret and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

“Content creation is already a big part of how young people express themselves. The next step is helping them turn that into something sustainable,” said Fawzia Ali-Kimanthi, Safaricom’s Chief Consumer Business Officer, in the statement.

Students attending the session said the training reframed content creation as a viable income pathway. “I’ve always had a smartphone and posted videos, but I didn’t know how to convert them to an income stream,” said Alfred Fondo, a Computer Science student at Pwani University. “Now I’m thinking differently. This can actually help me support myself.”

Alongside content skills, Safaricom’s wealth team used the session to encourage students to manage earnings and prioritise long-term financial stability, the organisers said, including learning about savings options such as Ziidi money market fund (MMF), which was referenced in the programme agenda.

Safaricom and Sprite also urged youth to participate in the “Hook’d on Fresh challenge” running from April 1, 2026 to April 30, 2026. The statement said creators will compete across nine reward levels, with cash prizes ranging from KES 3,000 at the entry level to KES 20,000 for top performers. The companies also said they will reward creators with “outstanding content” with smartphone devices and data bundles.

In market terms, programmes that combine creator training with financial literacy reflect a broader push by corporates to capture youth spend and engagement while positioning mobile connectivity, mobile money and digital services as enablers of new forms of work. For universities, such initiatives also signal growing demand for practical digital skills that complement academic training, as students seek income opportunities while still in school.

Safaricom is listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE: SCOM) and, in its corporate background in the statement, said it serves over 50 million customers and that its total economic value was estimated at KES 1.1 trillion (US$8.5 billion) for the 12 months through March 2025. The company also cited annual revenues of close to KES 388 billion as at March 2025, and said M-PESA generated over KES 161 billion in revenue in FY25.

Next, the organisers are expected to continue the campus series at additional institutions while the April challenge runs to month-end, with winners to be selected across the stated reward tiers.

Safaricom Plc on March 31, 2026 opened its three-day Safaricom Engineering Summit—Decode 4.0—in Nairobi, positioning the event as a convening platform for developers, innovators and technology firms as Kenya pushes for broader digital growth.

The summit is being held in partnership with Microsoft, Google, Dell Technologies and Huawei, according to a statement issued by Safaricom. The company said the event is themed Made for Kenya and is designed to bring together local and global technology stakeholders to discuss and build solutions linked to Kenya’s digital economy.

Safaricom said more than 100,000 people are expected to participate both physically and virtually over the three days, an indication of sustained interest in developer communities and industry-led skills initiatives as competition for digital talent intensifies across East Africa.

The event comes at a time when Kenyan businesses are increasing their adoption of cloud services, data-driven products and digital payments, while government agencies continue to promote digitisation of services. For telecoms and technology providers, developer ecosystems are increasingly viewed as a route to create new products, strengthen platform usage and expand enterprise partnerships.

Speaking at the opening, Safaricom Chief Executive Officer Peter Ndegwa said the company sees the summit as a practical space for building scalable solutions. “The Kenyan people are known for their ingenuity, grit and hassle- constantly pushing boundaries and experimenting. 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,” Mr Ndegwa said.

Safaricom said Decode 4.0 includes builder labs, code labs and mentorship programmes aimed at hands-on learning and capacity building. The company added that sessions are aligned to “key growth areas including Artificial Intelligence, Fintech and Creative Tech,” which it described as drivers of Kenya’s next phase of economic transformation.

Beyond the Nairobi summit, Safaricom said it plans to extend Decode through year-round activities, including regional engagements dubbed Decode Cafés, additional code labs and mentorship programmes targeting developers and educators. The company said participants will earn certificates and digital badges as part of skills validation.

In an “About Safaricom” section attached to the statement, the company said it serves more than 60 million customers across Kenya and Ethiopia and estimated its total economic value at KES 1.1 trillion (US$8.5 billion) for the 12 months through March 2025. Safaricom also said it had annual revenues of close to KES 388 billion as at March 2025 and that its 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G network coverage reaches over 99% of Kenya’s population.

The company attributed part of Kenya’s financial inclusion gains to M-PESA, saying the platform empowers 37.9 million customers and helped drive financial inclusion to 84.8% of the adult population in 2024, from 26.7% in 2006. Safaricom said M-PESA generated over KES 161 billion in revenue as at FY25.

Industry analysts have increasingly linked telecom-led developer programmes to broader efforts to grow local software capacity, reduce reliance on imported technology solutions and accelerate innovation in payments, lending, digital identity and creative industries. Partnerships with global technology firms at events such as Decode may also shape enterprise cloud and data strategies for Kenyan corporates, alongside the expansion of AI-enabled products.

Safaricom did not disclose the summit’s budget or any commercial agreements linked to the event, but said Decode will be supported by ongoing community engagements and training initiatives in the months ahead.

Tusk and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy on March 24, 2026 launched the 26th edition of the Lewa Safari Marathon in Nairobi, opening entries for the June 27 race at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and setting a fundraising target of more than KSh15 million, according to organisers.

In a statement issued at the launch, the organisers said proceeds will be directed to wildlife protection as well as community needs such as health and schools. International entries are already open, with entries for Kenya and East Africa scheduled to open on March 27.

The Lewa Safari Marathon has raised KSh1.3 billion since its first edition in 2000, according to the organisers. They said funds have supported conservation initiatives linked to improved outcomes for species including Hawksbill turtles, Grevy’s zebras, rhinos and mountain bongos, and have also financed community programmes including more than 40,000 clinic visits and multiple school initiatives. The statement did not provide a breakdown of the KSh1.3 billion by year or beneficiary.

Mike Watson, CEO of Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, said the event’s contributions extend across conservation and livelihoods. “Every step taken at the Lewa Safari Marathon powers real, measurable conservation impact. Through the commitment of every runner and supporter, we are securing critical habitats, protecting endangered species, and building resilient communities with sustainable livelihoods,” Watson said, adding that sponsors remain central to delivering the programme.

Chantal Migongo-Bake, Tusk’s Chief Conservation Officer, said the marathon is designed to mobilise international and local support for conservation and community programmes. “The Lewa Safari Marathon is more than just a race, it’s a running challenge with purpose… This incredible event continues to raise vital funds that innovate conservation efforts, protect critical landscapes and threatened species, and uplift livelihoods,” she said.

Safaricom, the event’s main sponsor since inception, said it will provide KSh10 million in support for the 2026 edition. Peter Ndegwa, CEO of Safaricom, said: “As part of our continued commitment, we will this year support the event to the tune of KES 10 million… we are equally proud to enable conservation through connectivity, ensuring that Lewa remains digitally empowered to protect wildlife more effectively.”

Huawei Kenya said it will also continue its sponsorship, which the organisers said has run for more than a decade. Gao Fei, CEO of Huawei Kenya, said: “Huawei is delighted to have been a long-standing supporter of the Lewa Safari Marathon.”

Beyond Safaricom and Huawei, the organisers listed additional 2026 partners as National Bank of Kenya, ICEA Lion, Tropical Heat, Safarilink, AMREF, Elewana and Land and Life. They said partner contributions provide core financial support used for conservation and community initiatives.

The race has full marathon, half marathon, 10K and a children’s race. Organisers said more than 25,000 runners from over 40 countries have participated over the years, including Kenyan athletes Eliud Kipchoge, Paul Tergat and Catherine Ndereba. They also cited Runner’s World recognition of the race among top amateur events globally.

For Kenya’s business landscape, the marathon illustrates a recurring model of corporate-backed conservation financing, linking brand partnerships to measurable funding for protected areas and adjacent communities. With the tourism value chain closely tied to wildlife assets, such events can influence conservation budgets, local enterprise activity and destination visibility in the wider Mount Kenya–Laikipia ecosystem.

Organisers said the 2026 race will be held at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with proceeds supporting a range of Kenyan conservation organisations including Borana Conservancy, Grevy’s Zebra Trust, Lamu Marine Conservation Trust and Tsavo Trust, among others. The next milestone is the opening of Kenya and East Africa entries on March 27 ahead of the June 27 event.

Safaricom Plc, through its youth platform Safaricom Hook, has partnered with The Coca-Cola Company’s Sprite brand to host a Hook’d on Fresh Masterclass Series session at the University of Eldoret, with the companies saying the programme trained more than 300 youths on content creation, monetisation and financial literacy.

In a press release dated March 20, 2026, Safaricom (NSE: SCOM) said the Eldoret session followed an earlier stop at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) last week, which it said marked the first event in the series. The company said the university tour is intended to build digital skills among young Kenyans and expose students to opportunities in the technology and digital economy.

The Eldoret training featured what Safaricom described as industry mentors, including musician Collo Blue and dance creator Tileh Pacbro, who the company said shared practical insights with participants.

Student participants linked the training to broader use of digital platforms in academics. “I am happy that Safaricom and Sprite have brought this masterclass to our University today. I have learned that in addition to entertainment, platforms, like Safaricom Hook are also useful in studies and research, because of the affordable Internet bundles,” said Norman Kipkurgat, a second-year student at University of Eldoret, according to the statement.

Safaricom said the programme also included messaging on savings and financial habits. “The Hook’d on Fresh campaign is a digital influencer hosted creator program designed to equip Kenyan creators with the skills, tools and inspiration they need to thrive in the digital content economy. Today, we've also have been speaking to the youth about the importance of adopting a saving culture early, educating them on the diverse opportunities in tech and digital space,” said Fawzia Ali, Chief Consumer Business Officer, Safaricom.

Beyond the campus sessions, the companies have launched a Hook’d on Fresh user-generated content (UGC) challenge that Safaricom said will run nationwide and be hosted on TikTok and Instagram. The statement said participants will post short-form videos across music, sports, fashion and comedy using the hashtags #Hook’donfresh and #SafaricomHook, while tagging Sprite Kenya and the Safaricom Hook page.

Safaricom said the competition will use a tiered rewards system, with 403 digital creators expected to win across nine levels. Cash prizes range from KES 3,000 to KES 20,000, alongside non-cash rewards including smartphones and data bundles, with monthly winner selection, according to the press release.

The initiative lands as Kenyan telcos and consumer brands increasingly use creator-led training and competitions to capture youth attention and drive usage of digital platforms, including content and fintech services. Safaricom’s focus on financial literacy and savings tools alongside creator training reflects a broader market push to deepen engagement among younger customers as digital income opportunities and mobile-first financial services expand.

Safaricom said the Hook’d on Fresh Masterclass Series will continue touring universities across the country, and that the sessions will include exposure to products such as Ziidi Invest and Save. The company did not provide a full tour schedule or the total budget for the programme, but indicated the UGC challenge will award prizes monthly as the campus activations continue.

Safaricom Plc and Indonesia’s Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (IOH) have signed a partnership to collaborate on artificial intelligence (AI) use cases spanning customer experience, digital financial services and network investment planning, the companies said in a joint statement issued on March 17, 2026 in Barcelona.

Under the agreement, the two telcos said they will work on “advanced AI-driven decisioning” to support more proactive customer engagement, including predictive care to detect and resolve network issues before customers are affected, more relevant product recommendations for prepaid users, and conversational AI tools for customer support.

The partnership also includes collaboration around mobile money and broader digital financial services. IOH said it will draw on Safaricom’s operational experience in mobile financial services—built around M-PESA—to strengthen “resilience, security, and personalization” of digital financial journeys, including AI-powered fraud and risk management and improving payment reliability during peak periods.

The announcement comes as telecom operators increasingly deploy AI to manage network complexity, improve service quality and protect digital payments from fraud. For Kenya, where mobile money infrastructure is deeply embedded in everyday commerce, AI-driven fraud detection and reliability initiatives are closely watched by banks, merchants and regulators seeking to reduce losses and maintain customer trust in digital transactions.

In addition to customer and fintech-related initiatives, the companies said they will explore AI-led insights to improve how IOH plans and invests in its network. The statement referenced “CNX-based Smart CAPEX” and the use of AI to make capital expenditure decisions more demand-driven, with a focus on “high-growth and underserved areas.” No financial terms of the partnership were disclosed, and no monetary figures were provided to convert into Kenyan shillings.

Vikram Sinha, President Director and Chief Executive Officer of Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, said the collaboration is intended to translate strategy into deployable outcomes. “This partnership with Safaricom is about moving from aspiration to action,” Sinha said. He added that the companies are focused on “delivering innovations that customers can genuinely feel from smarter networks and safer digital transactions to more personal and intuitive experiences,” according to the statement.

Peter Ndegwa, Chief Executive Officer of Safaricom PLC, said the partnership brings together the firms’ respective strengths. “Our partnership with Indosat is built on our respective strengths, their bold AI‑native transformation and our deep experience in building Africa’s most trusted digital and financial ecosystem,” Ndegwa said. He added that the collaboration aims to support “smarter networks and safer transactions” and contribute to “inclusive digital economies,” according to the statement.

Industry-wide, the initiative signals growing cross-market collaboration between operators seeking to industrialise AI across core telecom functions—customer care, network operations and digital financial services—rather than limit AI deployments to pilots. In Kenya and the wider East African market, the emphasis on fraud and risk management reflects sustained pressure on mobile money providers to strengthen controls as transaction volumes grow and fraud techniques evolve.

The companies also said they will collaborate on talent and leadership development to support AI transformation. Planned initiatives include building “AI-fluent executives,” developing “Business–AI Translator roles,” and enabling cross-organisational learning and short-term secondments to speed up skills transfer.

Next steps and timelines for specific deployments were not provided. The firms said the partnership will focus on practical use cases, suggesting pilots and phased rollouts may follow as the parties identify areas where AI tools can be implemented across customer operations, digital finance and network planning.