By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 28 April 2026 - Africa’s push for a truly connected digital economy took centre stage in Nairobi as top government officials, telecom executives and technology stakeholders issued a blunt call for the removal of regulatory bottlenecks that continue to slow down seamless connectivity across the continent.
At the 15th Connected Africa Summit held at the Edge Convention Centre in Nairobi, discussion was dominated by one central idea: Africa already has the ingredients for a digital revolution, but policy fragmentation and institutional silos are holding it back.
Delegates noted that the continent is not short of promise. A young and tech-savvy population, rapid mobile adoption, and expanding fibre and mobile infrastructure have created what many described as a “rare historical opportunity” to build a unified digital market. Yet speakers warned that unless governments and private sector players align faster on regulation, investment frameworks and data systems, Africa risks moving in digital fragments rather than as a single force.
Safaricom Chief Executive Officer Peter Ndegwa used one of the summit’s key panels to press for deeper cooperation between governments and private sector operators. He said progress would depend on trust, coordination and shared ambition.
“To unlock Africa's full potential, we must deepen collaboration between governments and the private sector. By working together, we can create enabling policies, invest in the right infrastructure and accelerate public sector digitisation in a way that is inclusive, scalable and impactful for millions of Africans,” said the Safaricom CEO.
Safaricom also used the summit to showcase what it described as its converged digital model, which brings together enterprise services, financial technology, public sector digitisation and core network infrastructure into a single integrated system. The firm argued that this structure allows governments to deploy digital services faster, more securely and at scale, while reducing duplication of systems across agencies.
The company, which operates across Kenya and Ethiopia, says it now connects more than 60 million customers and runs what is widely regarded as Africa’s largest fintech platform through its M-PESA ecosystem, a system that has transformed financial access across the region.
The Deputy President of Kenya, Prof Abraham Kithure Kindiki, struck a similarly urgent tone, warning that exclusion and fragmented policymaking could slow down Africa’s digital transformation if not addressed collectively. He called for a model that places citizens at the centre of digital planning while strengthening partnerships with industry.
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“The public sector does not have a monopoly on resources. In order to achieve inclusion in the digital market, we must collaborate with the private sector and the citizens themselves,” said Prof Abraham Kindiki.
His remarks reflected growing government recognition that digital transformation can no longer be driven solely from the state level, especially as innovation cycles accelerate and private firms increasingly lead infrastructure development and digital service delivery.
Across the summit, held under the banner of advancing Africa’s digital future, speakers repeatedly returned to the need for policy harmonisation. Differences in taxation, licensing regimes, cross-border data rules and spectrum allocation were cited as key barriers preventing the continent from functioning as a single digital ecosystem.
Analysts at the summit warned that without coordinated reforms, Africa risks deepening inequalities between digitally advanced markets and those still struggling with basic connectivity.
Safaricom’s presentation also highlighted its broader economic footprint, including its role in supporting over 1.1 million jobs directly and indirectly, and its estimated contribution of over KES 1.1 trillion to economic value in the 12 months to March 2025. The firm also reaffirmed its long-term commitment to sustainability and a net-zero carbon target by 2050.
As the summit continues into its third day, the prevailing message is clear: Africa’s digital ambition is no longer in question, but its success will depend on whether governments, regulators and private sector giants can finally move in step.
For now, the call from Nairobi is unmistakable — connect faster, govern smarter, and build together, or risk being left behind in a digital race the continent is well capable of winning.