Kenya’s drive to position itself as a regional technology powerhouse gained fresh momentum today with the opening of the Safaricom Engineering Summit, Decode 4.0 at the Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi.
The three-day summit, convened by Safaricom PLC in partnership with global technology firms including Microsoft, Google, Dell Technologies, and Huawei, has brought together developers, innovators, creators, and industry leaders to shape the next phase of the country’s digital growth.
Held under the theme “Made for Kenya,” this year’s edition celebrates the ingenuity, creativity, and resilience that have defined Kenya’s rise as a leader in digital innovation, from mobile-first financial services to inclusive technology ecosystems. It also serves as a platform for stakeholders to explore practical solutions, exchange ideas, and build collaborations that can scale across the continent.
More than 100,000 participants are expected to engage with the summit both physically and virtually, underscoring the growing influence of Kenya’s tech ecosystem and increasing demand for accessible, real-world digital solutions.
Safaricom PLC Chief Executive Officer Peter Ndegwa said the summit is designed to harness Kenya’s unique innovation culture and channel it into scalable impact.
“The Kenyan people are known for their ingenuity, grit, and hustle, 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,” he said.
Decode 4.0 places strong emphasis on hands-on learning and capacity building, with a series of Builder Labs, Code Labs, and mentorship programmes forming the core of the experience. These sessions are designed to equip participants with practical tools and technical skills to build, test, and scale solutions addressing real-world challenges.
The summit’s content is structured around key growth areas expected to drive Kenya’s economic transformation, including: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Fintech and Creative Tech.
These sectors are increasingly seen as critical pillars in advancing Kenya’s transition into a digital-first, innovation-led economy.
In a move aimed at broadening access to digital opportunities, Safaricom announced that Decode will extend beyond the annual summit through year-round initiatives, including regional engagements dubbed Decode Cafés, as well as continued Code Labs and mentorship programmes targeting both developers and educators.
Participants in these programmes will earn certificates and digital badges, helping validate skills and strengthen Kenya’s digital talent pipeline.
As Safaricom marks 25 years of operations, Decode 4.0 reflects the company’s broader ambition to evolve into a purpose-led technology company, while playing a central role in nurturing innovation across the country.
Positioned as Safaricom’s flagship technology forum, Decode continues to act as a catalyst for collaboration between private sector players, global technology partners, and local talent, accelerating the development of solutions that not only address Kenya’s challenges but also have the potential to scale across Africa.
With its growing reach and focus on practical impact, Decode 4.0 signals a clear shift: Kenya is not just participating in the global digital economy, it is actively shaping it.
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