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Safaricom has joined forces with Quickmart supermarkets to enhance the accessibility of its 4G and 5G home internet services across Kenya. Consumers can now purchase routers at Quickmart outlets and use a new QR-code system for easy activation, aiming to bridge the digital divide.
Kenya's 2025 tech startup scene shines with innovators like M-KOPA (fintech/asset financing), KopoKopo (SME payments), Craydel (EduTech), Hisa (investment), Sukhiba & Shamba Pride (AgriTech), MYDAWA (HealthTech, $9.6M May funding), and Roam (E-Mobility, fastest-growing). These companies are tackling local challenges and scaling regionally, showcasing the ecosystem's dynamism.
The Connected Africa Summit 2025 (May 26-29, Diani, Kenya), hosted by Kenya's ICT Ministry, aims to turn Africa's digital "Vision to Reality." Key themes include AI, Green Tech, Digital Inclusion, and Cybersecurity, with participation from global giants like AWS and Google. A major outcome will be "The Nairobi Declaration," outlining 7 critical interventions by 14 African ICT Ministers to advance the continent's digital agenda through collaboration and public-private partnerships.
The Connected Africa Summit 2025 (May 26-29, Diani) has secured participation from global tech leaders like AWS, Google, Cisco, and HPE. This strong international presence highlights robust global interest in Africa's digital future, with Kenya positioned as a key hub for fostering partnerships, investment, and knowledge transfer across the continent.
Kenya is bolstering its tech startup ecosystem through a combination of government and private sector initiatives. Key efforts include the ICT Authority's Strategic Plan (2024-2027) with programs like Whitebox incubation, the World Bank-funded KDEAP, and high-level forums like the Connected Africa Summit. Discussions are also active on creating dedicated funding mechanisms, like a Fintech Growth Fund, and improving access to capital markets to address the "Series A crunch" and support startup scaling.
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming Kenya, driven by the National AI Strategy (2025-2030) focusing on ethical and inclusive adoption. Government agencies like KEBS and KRA are implementing AI for efficiency, while the private sector, including healthtech MYDAWA and global players like Huawei and Google, integrate AI widely. A strong emphasis on AI education and ethical governance underpins this national digital shift.
Kenya is significantly ramping up its cloud computing capabilities and data center infrastructure, viewing them as critical national assets. Key developments include Safaricom's partnership with iXAfrica for an AI-ready data center, Raxio's IFC-backed expansion, and Huawei's ongoing cloud investments. Strategic conferences in May 2025 emphasized sustainable digital infrastructure and alignment with Vision 2030, highlighting a push towards a green digital hub.
With its deepening digital reliance, Kenya is prioritizing cybersecurity through a coordinated national strategy. The ICT Authority Bill 2024 aims to harmonize efforts, while the National AI Strategy underscores cybersecurity's role. Key events like the Africa CISO Summit 2025 and the upcoming Connected Africa Summit further highlight this focus, signaling a move towards a robust, centralized defense against evolving cyber threats.
Africa's venture capital scene, including Kenya, is recalibrating after a global downturn (52% drop in Africa's deal volume 2022-24). While a funding surge in April 2025 signals recovery, investors are more selective, focusing on developed ecosystems and profitable ventures. Fintech dominates, but faces a Series A crunch and gender disparity in funding, with Kenyan fintechs seeing a reduced share of investment in 2024.
Huawei remains a key international partner in Kenya's tech sector, consistently driving digital innovation through Huawei Cloud and supporting the nation's AI goals. In May 2025, Huawei partnered with Equity Group to launch an ICT Academy at the Open University of Kenya, bolstering local talent development, alongside ongoing initiatives in 5G, AI, and clean energy solutions.
The Huawei Kenya Cloud Summit 2025, held on May 16, showcased Huawei's latest cloud and AI solutions tailored for the Kenyan market. The event emphasized Huawei Cloud's role in driving Kenya's digital innovation and AI ambitions, reinforcing its commitment as a strategic technology partner for the nation.
Kenyan government agencies are increasingly adopting AI, with the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) announcing plans on May 16, 2025, to use AI for efficiency and surveillance. Similarly, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) is integrating AI to manage scanners and improve border control security, as reported on May 9, 2025.
Fintech startup Cross Switch officially launched in Kenya on May 15, partnering with local payments firm Pesawise to offer a unified payment platform. This solution enables businesses to accept cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex), bank transfers, and mobile money, aiming to significantly boost financial inclusion for SMEs, charities, and NGOs by simplifying online payment collection and reducing transaction costs.
E-mobility manufacturer Roam was named Kenya's fastest-growing company on May 15, 2025, a recognition that highlights the significant growth and potential of the sustainable transport sector in the country. This accolade often precedes increased investor interest and signals a broader shift towards green technology.
Safaricom and iXAfrica Data Centres (an iColo company) announced a partnership on May 15, 2025, to build East Africa’s first AI-ready data center in Kenya. This major investment will provide critical infrastructure to support AI model training and deployment, fostering the region's burgeoning AI ecosystem.
The 18th Kenya Internet Governance Forum (KIGF) began in Nairobi on May 14, themed “Tech for Human Development.” This week-long KICTANet-organized event united government, tech leaders, and civil society to discuss AI ethics, youth digital rights, data privacy, and fostering inclusive ICT growth through multi-stakeholder collaboration, aiming to shape Kenya's digital policies.
OPPO launched its high-end Find N5 foldable smartphone in Kenya around May 14, 2025, introducing cutting-edge foldable screen technology to the local market. This premium device launch signals a maturing Kenyan consumer base interested in advanced mobile innovations and intensifies competition in the top-tier segment.
Amazon Ads introduced three new interactive Connected TV (CTV) ad formats for Prime Video in May 2025. These include AI-powered pause ads, shoppable in-stream ads allowing direct add-to-cart, and "send-to-phone" ads for non-Amazon products, all designed to turn streaming breaks into engagement opportunities leveraging Amazon's data and AI.
Google has expanded its AI-powered research tool, NotebookLM, to include audio overviews in over 50 languages, a development reported around May 2025. This enhancement will benefit users in Kenya and across Africa by making advanced AI study and research assistance more accessible, particularly for auditory learners.
Google introduced AI Max for Search on May 6, 2025, a new suite of AI enhancements powered by Gemini 2.0. It offers automated creative generation and predictive targeting, with early tests showing a ~14% lift in conversions. This aims to simplify optimization and improve advertiser efficiency.
The 4th ICT & Data Centers Conference, held in Nairobi on May 5, 2025, convened policymakers and industry leaders to discuss sustainable digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and cloud technologies, aligning with Kenya's Vision 2030 and National Digital Masterplan. Key themes included AI, digital inclusion, data sovereignty, and environmental sustainability in data centers, emphasizing renewable energy and efficiency metrics like REF and CUE. The event highlighted the ICT sector's projected growth to surpass $110B by 2027.
Raxio Data Centres secured a significant $100 million financing from the IFC to expand its platform across Sub-Saharan Africa, with Kenya highlighted as a key market. This investment, relevant in May 2025, underscores the major capital inflow into Africa's critical digital infrastructure, essential for tech growth.
The African startup ecosystem saw a major funding boost in April 2025, with ventures securing $343 million in deals over $100k—a 4.5-fold increase from April 2024. Year-to-date funding reached $803 million (up 43%), creating a positive investment climate beneficial for Kenyan startups.
Kenya's High Court delivered a landmark ruling in late April, permanently prohibiting the government and telecom companies from disrupting internet services without judicial approval. This decision, a major win for digital rights, followed a lawsuit by civil society groups over past shutdowns during protests and exams, ensuring future restrictions require a transparent court process.
Vivo launched its V50 smartphone in Kenya on April 16, 2025, featuring the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 SoC for robust performance and a high-resolution 50-Megapixel front-facing camera. This launch caters to Kenyan consumers' demand for advanced camera capabilities and powerful mobile processing.
During an Easter sales promotion in Kenya, HMD Global, maker of Nokia phones, offered its Skyline smartphone model at a significant 50% discount, as reported on April 16, 2025. This move illustrates the competitive pricing strategies employed by brands to boost sales and attract consumers in the Kenyan market.
TECNO unveiled its Camon 40 series in Kenya around April 3, 2025, focusing on AI-enhanced camera features. The launch positions the new lineup to compete with established brands like OPPO and Samsung in the increasingly AI-driven and competitive Kenyan smartphone market.
Samsung refreshed its Kenyan product line in April 2025, launching AI-enhanced Galaxy A-Series smartphones (A56, A36, A26 5G) on April 2. Their latest QLED TVs received 'Real Quantum' certification on April 17, and the Galaxy Watch Ultra was noted as a top upgrade pick, showcasing Samsung's broad technology integration.
Reinforcing its status as an African tech powerhouse, Kenya attracted Sh12.93bn (≈$90m) in startup funding in Q1 2025, matching Nigeria. Fintech and agritech sectors saw significant deals, though entrepreneurs face rising expectations to show clear market traction.
On March 26, 2025, TikTok enhanced its Smart+ Catalog Ads, allowing advertisers to link product catalogs for conversions on TikTok Shop and external sites in one campaign. It also added Smart+ support for the Traffic objective, using AI to optimize for clicks, alongside new TikTok Shop features like GMV Max for smarter ad placements.
