{
  "id": 9727795,
  "title": "Safaricom to drive Africa’s digital transformation agenda on AI, SMEs and public services",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/safaricom-to-drive-africas-digital-transformation-agenda-on-ai-smes",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-25T07:14:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "People Daily Kenya",
    "slug": "people-daily-kenya",
    "url": "https://peopledaily.digital/news/safaricom-to-drive-africas-digital-transformation-agenda-on-ai-smes-and-public-services"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Safaricom, a leading telecommunications company in Africa, is spearheading a new continent-wide digital transformation initiative. This drive encompasses digital infrastructure, public services, skills development, small businesses, artificial intelligence, and data governance. The initiative was launched at the 2025 Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI), with yearly platforms designed for collaboration, investment, and action. At GABI 2026, the initiative progressed, with sector leaders named to hasten implementation and stimulate action from governments and businesses. Safaricom's CEO, Peter Ndegwa, and Nigeria's Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, have been identified as champions of the Digital Transformation Pathway. The pathway aims to bolster digital infrastructure, modernize public services, develop future-ready skills, empower SMEs, and ensure responsible AI and data governance. For Safaricom, this agenda is a logical progression from its shift towards technology and digital financial services, aimed at becoming a technology and financial-services partner for enterprises and the public sector. The Health Pathway, led by Maturin Tchoumi and Nardos Bekele-Thomas, focuses on strengthening health systems through digital health innovation, resilient pharmaceutical supply chains, increased healthcare investment, and workforce development. The Digital Infrastructure component aims to enhance connectivity to expand access to digital services and create business and citizen opportunities across Africa. Public services are integral to the transformation agenda, reflecting the increasing role of digital platforms in government service delivery. Skills development is also a priority, preparing African workers and entrepreneurs for a technology-driven economy. SMEs are vital to the agenda due to their role in employment and economic participation. Responsible AI and data governance is another crucial area, as African governments and businesses expand AI use. Ndegwa's involvement underscores Safaricom's role in a continental conversation shifting towards implementation, skills, investment, and governance. The GABI Action Pathways, including the Health Pathway, provide a framework for ongoing engagement throughout the year, moving from high-level dialogue to sector-specific implementation. The success of Africa's digital economy will depend on these commitments translating into tangible projects, investments, and services that reach citizens and businesses across the continent.",
  "summary": "Safaricom is taking a leading role in a new Africa-wide digital transformation drive targeting digital infrastructure, public services, skills development, small businesses, artificial intelligence and data governance. The initiative was unveiled at the 2025 Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI), with the Action Pathways created as year-round platforms for collaboration, investment and…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}