Decode 4.0: Safaricom’s AI Vision Driving Kenya’s Intelligent Digital FutureNairobi, March 31, 2026 –

kasuku David 

taifaleo news

Nairobi, March 31, 2026 

 Safaricom has set the stage for Kenya’s next phase of digital transformation with the launch of Decode 4.0, highlighting the growing use of artificial intelligence and innovation in shaping the country’s future.

Delivering the opening remarks at Sarit Expo Centre, James Maitai said the summit reflects both the company’s journey and its long-term ambition of becoming Africa’s leading purpose-led technology company by 2030.

“When we launched Decode in 2022, the ambition was simple; 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, he noted, Decode has evolved into more than just an event

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“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,” Maitai added.

This year’s summit is particularly significant as Safaricom marks 25 years of operation, with Decode 4.0 symbolizing both progress made and the road ahead. Under the theme “Made of Kenya,” the company is positioning itself at the center of a digital-first, inclusive, and intelligently enabled future.

At the heart of this transformation is the use of artificial intelligence, which Safaricom is increasingly embedding into its operations. Maitai explained that the company has moved from traditional systems to AI-assisted operations, where intelligent tools support human teams and enhance service delivery.

> “AI is helping us improve productivity, manage operations more efficiently, and deliver greater value at scale,” he said.

Through AI, Safaricom is automating routine processes, improving customer engagement, and enabling faster, more personalized services. These technologies are allowing the company to serve more customers while maintaining—and even improving—quality.

Maitai emphasized that this shift is redefining the workplace, with human roles evolving toward creativity, innovation, and decision-making, while AI handles repetitive tasks.

> “Our role will shift from doing everything manually to guiding and optimizing intelligent systems,” he noted.

Beyond Safaricom, he pointed out that AI is transforming every sector—from communication and customer service to production and service delivery—making it a key driver of economic growth. However, he stressed that the success of AI depends heavily on data quality and availability.

> “The effectiveness of AI depends on the quality and volume of data we use to train it. The better the data, the better the system becomes—and the more value it creates,” he said.

For engineering students and innovators attending Decode 4.0, the summit offers a unique opportunity to engage with emerging technologies, gain practical skills, and connect with industry leaders shaping the future.

Ultimately, Maitai framed Safaricom’s transformation as part of a broader mission to redefine how people and businesses operate in a digital world.

> “This is not just about technology. This is about building the future of how we work, how we communicate, and how we serve people,” he said.

As Decode 4.0 continues, Safaricom’s message is clear: Kenya’s intelligent future is already taking shape—and innovation, powered by AI, will be at its core.