Kenya and Angola have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in the fields of ICT, digital economy, and innovation. The agreement focuses on key areas including technology advancement, satellite networks, ICT training, rural connectivity, cybersecurity, and digital literacy—laying the foundation for enhanced collaboration that will accelerate digital transformation across both nations.

The MoU was formalized during a high-level meeting attended by Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury and Planning, John Mbadi, Angola’s Minister of Telecommunications, Information Technologies, and Social Communication, and Kenya’s Ambassador to Angola, Joyce Khasimwa M’maitsi. The agreement represents a major step toward deepening Kenya–Angola bilateral relations, with technical teams from both countries expected to begin implementing joint initiatives immediately.

Kenya’s Principal Secretary for ICT and Digital Economy, John Tanui, also played a significant role in representing Kenya during the Transformative Week for Financing Africa’s Infrastructure Development held in Angola. His participation underscored Kenya’s leadership in digital policy and infrastructure growth, as he engaged in ministerial dialogues, strategic bilaterals, and interactions with the Kenyan diaspora community in Angola.

In his reflections, PS Tanui highlighted that the summit reaffirmed Africa’s collective commitment to accelerate digital transformation and unlock new avenues for infrastructure financing. He emphasized Kenya’s success in expanding broadband coverage, promoting digital public services, and adopting innovative blended financing models to support large-scale digital infrastructure projects.

Key discussions during the summit centered on broadband expansion, policy and public-private partnership reforms to attract investors, and capital mobilisation for critical infrastructure such as data centres, fibre connectivity, and Internet Exchange Points (IXPs). The engagements reinforced a shared vision that digital infrastructure remains a powerful driver of Africa’s economic growth, job creation, and cross-border trade.

Safaricom has announced the appointment of Stephen Chege as the new Group Chief External Affairs Officer, marking a significant evolution in its leadership and strategic focus. Reporting directly to the Group CEO, Steve will oversee an expanded portfolio covering regulatory and external affairs, public policy, corporate communications, media relations, corporate social investment, ESG, sustainability, and purpose integration across the Group — including its operations in Ethiopia. This appointment underscores Safaricom’s commitment to purpose-led transformation and strengthening its role as a technology enabler in Africa.

Steve brings extensive experience from his previous role at Vodacom Group, where he served as Chief External Affairs Officer and led external affairs across eight African markets, including Kenya. His leadership in securing critical operating licences, navigating tax and spectrum negotiations, driving policy reform, and shaping ESG strategy has earned him recognition as a forward-thinking industry executive. His return to Safaricom highlights the company’s emphasis on regulatory excellence, stakeholder engagement, and reputational leadership in the digital economy.

In his expanded role, Steve will lead Safaricom’s efforts to align external and internal stakeholders with the company’s strategic priorities in regulation, sustainable business practices, digital inclusion, and corporate citizenship. His responsibility will span across Safaricom Kenya and Safaricom Ethiopia, reinforcing the company’s presence and purpose-driven strategy across the region. Stewart’s appointment reflects Safaricom’s intention to embed transparency, accountability, and impact into every facet of its operations.

This leadership appointment comes at a critical time for Safaricom, as the company continues to expand its digital services, fintech capabilities, and regional ventures. His expertise in public policy, stakeholder relations, ESG reporting, and strategic communications will help ensure that Safaricom navigates regulatory landscapes and strengthens its values-based approach to business. By anchoring its external affairs function to experienced leadership, Safaricom is positioning itself to lead in African technology and innovation.

As Safaricom celebrates 25 years of connectivity and transformation, Steve’s appointment resonates with the company’s mission of transforming lives through purpose and technology. His track record of driving meaningful impact, building high-performing teams, and navigating complex regulatory environments will be instrumental in advancing Safaricom’s vision of a connected, inclusive, and digitally empowered Africa.

Choice Bank and Safaricom PLC have announced a landmark partnership designed to enhance international remittance services in Kenya. Through this collaboration, Choice Bank will leverage Safaricom’s established and secure remittance payment infrastructure to enable last-mile payouts to mobile wallets—fully regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya. This initiative signifies a major step forward in delivering seamless, API-driven banking and payment solutions across Africa.

The integration simplifies remittance flows for both global and local partners, allowing remittance providers and fintechs to reach Kenyan customers directly and securely. By plugging into Safaricom’s expansive mobile wallet network, Choice Bank opens an efficient gateway for funds moving into Kenya—reducing settlement time and operational friction for inbound transfers.

This strategic move underscores both organisations’ commitment to financial inclusion and digital innovation. Safaricom, already a leader in mobile money with millions of wallet holders, brings its trusted infrastructure; Choice Bank brings its expertise in digital banking for businesses, SMEs and individuals. Together, they are enabling an ecosystem where remittances are faster, more accessible and more cost-efficient for end users.

The partnership also aligns with broader industry trends where cross-border payments are evolving away from traditional banking channels into mobile-first, wallet-centric models. Using API-banking and mobile payout technology, the collaboration promises to unlock new opportunities for remittance providers looking to expand into Kenya’s dynamic market while supporting the Central Bank’s regulatory oversight and consumer protection objectives.

For remittance providers, fintech platforms and global payments players looking to scale in Kenya, Choice Bank and Safaricom’s platform presents a ready-made infrastructure to build upon. The announcement invites interested partners to explore how they can integrate and leverage this enabler to serve Kenyan customers more effectively and create new flows of digital value across borders.

The 17th edition of the CIO100 Awards and Symposium, Africa’s premier technology leadership gathering, is set to take place from November 19 to 21, 2025, at Enashipai Resort & Spa in Naivasha. The highly anticipated event will bring together top IT and business leaders from across the continent to discuss emerging technologies and their impact on Africa’s digital transformation journey. Over the years, the symposium has become a defining platform for recognising excellence in innovation and the strategic adoption of technology to drive growth and efficiency.

Organised by CIO Africa under dx5, the event celebrates companies and individuals who have integrated technology to solve African challenges and transform business operations. During a pre-event teaser session held at Sarova Panafric Hotel in Nairobi, tech leaders, including Geoffrey “GG” Gitagia, CIO of the Year 2024 and Group IT Manager at Avenue Healthcare, and Timothy Laku, Fractional CIO/CTO, discussed the evolution of tech leadership in Africa. According to dx5 Director Andrew Karanja, the CIO100 Awards represent not just recognition but a commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration across the continent.

The symposium will also feature the launch of the CIO100 MegaTrends Report, which provides in-depth analysis and insights into the technologies shaping Africa’s business landscape. The report highlights how African companies are increasingly leveraging Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence, analytics, and cybersecurity to drive business value, efficiency, and innovation. Karanja noted that Africa’s tech leaders are not merely adopting global trends but are shaping their own, developing homegrown solutions that meet the continent’s unique needs and realities.

At the heart of the awards is the recognition of transformative leadership, exemplified by Geoffrey “GG” Gitagia’s award-winning project at Avenue Healthcare, which redefined patient onboarding by reducing the process to three minutes. The CIO of the Year Award celebrates leaders who successfully align technology with organisational strategy and impact. Previous winners include Moses Okundi of Absa Bank, Jaine Mwai of Standard Chartered Bank, and Kenneth Ogwang’ of Diageo, all of whom have demonstrated exceptional leadership in using technology as a strategic enabler.

This year’s CIO100 Symposium & Awards promises an engaging lineup of masterclasses, panel discussions, and networking sessions, culminating in a gala celebrating Africa’s top 100 technology leaders. With sponsorship from global and regional tech players including Google Cloud Africa, Nathan Claire Africa, and Africa Data Centres, the event underscores Africa’s growing position as a global technology frontier. It will serve as a crucial meeting point for CIOs, CTOs, and digital strategists shaping the continent’s next wave of technological innovation.