Kenya’s ambition to strengthen its position as a regional technology hub took centre stage on Tuesday as Safaricom opened its three-day engineering summit, Decode 4.0, in Nairobi.

The summit, convened in partnership with Microsoft, Google, Dell Technologies and Huawei, brings together developers, innovators and global technology leaders to help shape the country’s next phase of digital growth.

Held under the theme “Made for Kenya,” the event highlights the country’s growing reputation for mobile-first innovation and inclusive digital ecosystems, while creating a platform for collaboration among key players driving that transformation.

More than 100,000 participants are expected to take part both physically and virtually, underscoring the scale and influence of Kenya’s expanding technology ecosystem and the rising demand for accessible digital solutions.

“The Kenyan people are known for their ingenuity, grit and hustle — constantly pushing boundaries and experimenting,” Safaricom Chief Executive Peter Ndegwa said at the opening. “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.”

The summit features hands-on builder labs, code labs and mentorship programmes aimed at equipping participants with practical skills to develop and scale solutions addressing real-world challenges.

Sessions are focused on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, fintech and creative technology, which are increasingly seen as key drivers of Kenya’s next phase of economic transformation.

Safaricom said it will extend the impact of the summit beyond the three-day event through year-round initiatives, including regional “Decode Cafés,” ongoing code labs and mentorship programmes targeting developers and educators across the country.

Participants will also earn certificates and digital badges as part of efforts to build a stronger digital talent pipeline.

Decode is Safaricom’s flagship technology forum, aimed at accelerating innovation through partnerships and talent development.

Uber and Bolt drivers in South Africa are calling for higher fares and reduced commission fees, citing mounting pressure from rising global fuel prices.

The demands were made by the National e-hailing Federation of South Africa (NEFSA), whose members staged app shutdowns in parts of KwaZulu-Natal over concerns including earnings, safety and platform policies.

NEFSA spokesperson Tella Makasale said drivers want a transparent pricing system that automatically adjusts fares in line with fuel price movements, alongside temporary commission cuts during periods of high operating costs.

“Our key demands include a transparent fare adjustment model linked to fuel price fluctuations, reduced commission percentages during high fuel cost periods, inclusion of driver representatives in pricing discussions, and protections against extreme cost volatility,” he said.

Drivers argue that while platforms occasionally introduce fare changes through surge pricing or limited adjustments, these are driven by algorithms and demand rather than reflecting sustained increases in fuel costs. These follows similar taxi driver strikes in Nigeria and Kenya.

Fuel is one of the largest expenses for drivers, and recent price increases have sharply eroded profit margins, forcing many to work longer hours to maintain income levels. Makasale said this has led to declining take-home pay, rising debt—particularly among drivers financing vehicles—and growing dissatisfaction with commission structures.

The federation warned that the situation risks triggering a broader industry fallout, including driver attrition, longer passenger wait times and increased likelihood of protests.

NEFSA said it has previously engaged both companies through protests, shutdowns and formal requests for fare reviews, but described progress as slow and lacking transparency.

“The rising cost of fuel is not just an economic issue. It is a livelihood crisis,” Makasale said. “If fuel prices rise, fares must respond — or the system will fail the people who keep it running.”

BFA Global and FSD Africa said on Thursday they will provide $273,000 in follow-on funding and venture-building support to four early-stage climate startups in East Africa, aiming to help them scale operations and attract investment.

The funding targets alumni of the Triggering Exponential Climate Action (TECA) programme, which supports climate-focused businesses from concept to commercial readiness. The selected firms operate in sectors including clean energy, waste-to-energy, cold storage and food systems.

The recipients are Africa Renewables Katalyst, which links renewable energy developers to global certificate markets; Plas-tech Energies, which converts plastic waste into cooking gas; Samaking, a solar-powered cold chain and fish distribution platform; and Sunwave, which provides solar-powered ice production and storage for fishers.

The companies will receive both capital and technical assistance, including operational support, business model refinement and preparation for raising external investment.

“Early-stage climate ventures face a critical funding cliff just as they are ready to grow,” said Tyler Ferdinand, director of the TECA programme at BFA Global.

Early-stage climate investment has tightened in recent years. A report by Sightline Climate found deal volumes fell about 20% in 2025 to a five-year low, as investors concentrated funding in fewer, more mature companies.

FSD Africa said the initiative aligns with its strategy to expand financing for small and growing businesses tackling climate risks. The agency, backed by the UK government, aims to mobilise £10 billion between 2025 and 2030, including £2 billion for climate adaptation projects.

Kenya’s communications regulator said newly introduced requirements for mobile devices will not ban low-cost phones or force consumers to discard those already in use, seeking to reassure the public amid growing concern.

Earlier, Kenyan communincations regulator Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) had issued an immediate ban on the import and sale of mobile phones and tablets that lack USB Type‑C charging ports, move that could disrupt supply chains and push up costs for low‑income consumers.

However, in a new notice, the authority has clarified that devices already approved and either shipped or awaiting shipment into the country will not be affected by the updated rules. It added that all mobile phones must receive type approval before importation, a standard requirement that remains unchanged.

The regulator emphasized that the updated framework is based on technical specifications used to assess new applications for type approval, and therefore does not require a transitional period.

“For avoidance of doubt, the notice does not ban the use, importation or sale of affordable mobile phones,” it said. “It also does not require consumers to discard devices currently in use, nor does it target any specific category of users or income group.”

The authority said it remains committed to protecting consumer interests, including access to high-quality information and communications technology products and services, while aligning with global technological developments and best practices.

Mobile money transactions topped $2 trillion globally in 2025, doubling in value in just four years as adoption and usage accelerated, according to a new industry report released on Tuesday.

The milestone, highlighted in the GSMA’s State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money 2026, underscores the rapid expansion of a service that has become a cornerstone of financial access for underserved populations.

It took two decades for mobile money to reach $1 trillion in annual transaction value, but only four years to double that figure, reflecting what the report described as “exponential growth” in the sector.

Mobile money accounts rose to 2.3 billion in 2025, an increase of 268 million from the previous year, while active users — defined as those transacting within 30 days — climbed 15% to 593 million, the fastest growth since 2021.

“What began as a simple way to move money has evolved into a global financial ecosystem,” GSMA Director General Vivek Badrinath said, adding that the industry is reaching “new heights and greater maturity.”

Africa leads growth

Sub-Saharan Africa remained the primary driver of new accounts and activity, though most regions offering mobile money recorded gains. Monthly account usage rose to 25.7%, its highest level in four years.

Despite the growth, nearly three-quarters of registered accounts remain inactive on a monthly basis. The report cited fraud risks and transaction taxes in some markets as key factors discouraging regular use and pushing some users back to cash.

Expanding financial services

The report noted that increased usage is helping improve users’ financial resilience by enabling access to services such as credit, savings and insurance.

Mobile-enabled credit remains the most widely offered service, closely followed by savings products, while the number of providers offering insurance grew by about one-third in 2025.

Regulation both helps and hinders

Regulatory frameworks have played a significant role in expanding mobile money, with more than 60% of providers saying rules around interoperability, customer verification and consumer protection have supported their operations.

However, challenges remain. Nearly a quarter of providers reported that restrictions on cross-border data transfers have hindered growth, highlighting the need for greater regulatory harmonisation.

Inclusion gaps persist

While mobile money has improved financial inclusion overall, gender disparities remain widespread. In seven out of ten countries surveyed, women are less likely than men to own or actively use mobile money accounts, with a few exceptions including Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria.

Broader impact

Beyond financial services, mobile money is increasingly used to deliver humanitarian aid and emergency payments, particularly in remote areas.

The report emphasised that continued growth will depend on improving digital financial literacy, strengthening fraud protections and fostering cross-border interoperability.

“As the industry scales, it must also take on greater responsibility,” Badrinath said.