Safaricom has successfully hosted the second edition of the Safaricom Engineering Summit, under the theme "Igniting Africa's Digital Renaissance."

The two-day event, attended by over 800 in-person industry stakeholders and thousands of online participants, aims to build on the successes of the first edition and promote digital innovation, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing.

This year, the event introduced exciting new platforms, celebrated technological achievements, and underscored Safaricom's commitment to empowering Kenya's youth in the digital space.

Peter Ndegwa, the CEO of Safaricom, emphasized the summit's significance.

Peter Ndegwa. PHOTO/COURTESY

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"This event, aptly named Safaricom Decode 2.0, is not just a conference but a dynamic platform that empowers Safaricom engineers to showcase their technical prowess and connect with the broader tech community. It is a testament to our commitment to being the Tech Partner of choice for Digital and Creatives," Ndegwa said.

"Kenya is a youthful country with immense opportunities. By combining the power of tech and purpose, we intend to tap into the ability and skill set of the youth, supporting them to take full advantage of the digital space and gain immensely from it."

One of the highlights of the summit was the launch of three new platforms:

Safaricom Entertainment Hub: A customer Content Platform aggregating all Safaricom content, including Video, Music, Gaming, Education, and more. The hub aims to be a one-stop shop with a seamless payment gateway for all forms of content.

Safaricom Developer Portal: A web-based platform that serves as a central hub for software developers, offering essential resources and tools to streamline the development process while improving efficiency and productivity.

M-PESA Daraja API Gateway Developers Portal: A revamped platform with hybrid cloud architecture and superior API Billing and Monetization capabilities, offering customers a better developer experience.

Additionally, Safaricom demonstrated a groundbreaking technology known as the "Digital Twin," powered by artificial intelligence, which creates a lifelike digital replica of a human, responding to requests just like a real person.

The summit, with Chief Guest Felix Koskei, Head of Public Service, aimed to showcase the advances made to meet the needs of the Kenyan and African tech industry as it navigates the challenges and opportunities brought forth by Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Fintech.

Felix Koskei. PHOTO/COURTESY

Koskei expressed his firm belief in the government's innovative vision and dedication.

He highlighted the government's robust digital strategy, which aimed to reshape Kenya's economic and social landscape through the power of technology. 

"I am very impressed by what I have seen here. I am now confident that I can ask Safaricom and all you techies to help Decode the government of Kenya. As you know, the government has created a comprehensive digital agenda to transform the country's economy and society through technology," Koskei stated.

"The government has also launched several digital platforms to improve service delivery and enhance transparency and accountability. Overall, we are focused on leveraging technology to achieve sustainable development and improve the quality of life for its citizens and are confident that the youth can carry this agenda."

The event provided participants with insights into Safaricom's engineering practices and products, particularly in Fintech, including the Safaricom AWS Deep Racer experience, Virtual Reality demonstrations, and various innovations from partners and sponsors.

As Ndegwa concluded, "Safaricom plays a pivotal role in Kenya’s digital and tech ecosystem and extends its influence far beyond our borders. Through initiatives like Safaricom Decode, we will continue to empower the community to showcase their exceptional skills and exchange knowledge on best practices."

Safaricom's commitment to nurturing Kenya's digital future was further evident with the growth of the Safaricom Engineering Community, which has expanded to over 5,000 members across Kenya in the last year.

The company plans to upscale and certify 1,400 members across various counties in a one-year program known as 'Accelerate by Safaricom,' offering training in skill sets such as Fintech, IoT, Robotic Process Automation, Cyber Security, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Big Data, Analytics, and 5G.

Upon completion, the top 200 students will be offered internship opportunities at Safaricom, while the rest will be placed in the Industry Digital Talent Program.

This initiative reinforces Safaricom's commitment to supporting and nurturing Kenya's tech talent for a brighter digital future.