Safaricom is taking a huge step into artificial intelligence (AI), with chief enterprise business officer, Cynthia Kropac, announcing yesterday that the telco will invest $500 million in AI infrastructure across East Africa over the next three years.
Safaricom says that the project will "transcend traditional connectivity" through "powering advanced digital services, fuelling innovation across all sectors of the economy, and propel the region's productivity."
Kropac, speaking at the Connected Africa Summit in Diani, Kenya, underlined Africa's unique position to determine its own AI trajectory, emphasising the importance of developing foundational infrastructure and inclusive policies adapted to the continent's circumstances.
“Africa has an opportunity to define its own AI destiny. While global AI development has largely been concentrated in the West and parts of Asia, Africa must now move beyond being a passive consumer of AI technologies,” she stated.
‘’We must harmonise our data and digital laws across the continent to build a robust and scalable AI ecosystem. The private sector must also build relevant solutions. Just as mobile leapfrogged landlines, AI will redefine Africa’s future, driving solutions for African challenges like multilingual education, climate-smart agriculture, and mobile health diagnostics.’’ she added.
Kropac emphasised on the need for Africa to build its own AI frameworks and shift from being passive consumers to active creators and stewards of the continent’s digital future.
“At Safaricom, we have already trained 5,000 employees in AI fundamentals to build an intelligent economy. We believe that time is rife for the region to build its own AI frameworks; to shift from being passive consumers to active creators and stewards of the continent’s digital future,” she added.
The $500 million investment, Kropac said, will also go into developing data centres, edge computing capabilities, and digital skills programs that will empower local developers and enterprises to build AI solutions for sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and financial services.
Kropac also reiterated the company’s focus on delivering seamless, intelligent, and inclusive digital experiences for people across Africa,
“We remain firmly committed to driving Africa’s digital future—through bold investments in connectivity, strategic partnerships, and the transformative power of artificial intelligence. By fostering innovation and enabling access to digital solutions, the company continues to play a central role in unlocking socio-economic growth and empowering communities across the continent.”
Share