Ericsson’s participation in Safaricom Decode 3.0, held between March 18–20, 2025, underscored its commitment to innovation, digital inclusion, and sustainable development in East Africa. The three-day tech summit, hosted at Nairobi’s Sarit Expo Centre, brought together developers, engineers, students, and tech leaders under the theme “Charting East Africa’s Digital Destiny.” Ericsson leveraged the opportunity to showcase its cutting-edge telecom technologies and share deep industry insights, further cementing its strategic partnership with Safaricom and regional stakeholders.
5G, AI, and Network Evolution: Ericsson’s Strategic Focus
At its booth, Ericsson demonstrated its latest innovations in 5G, Network Slicing, Internet of Things (IoT), and AI-driven automation. A standout showcase was an immersive sports fan engagement demo, which illustrated the monetization potential of 5G network slicing and network exposure, offering telcos new business models through programmable connectivity.
Ericsson’s solutions are designed to address Africa’s unique challenges, from bridging the digital divide to supporting sustainable energy transitions and next-generation connectivity. These demonstrations were aimed at enabling network operators to deliver personalized, high-quality digital experiences to end users — a core requirement in the age of cloud computing and real-time applications.
Driving Conversations Through Thought Leadership
Ericsson participated in several panel discussions and masterclasses, covering:
- APIs and Network Exposure: Showcased how network APIs and exposure capabilities will unlock programmable connectivity. The session, which included Salah Barakat (Head of Ericsson CNS AI & Analytics), emphasized API standardization and its role in next-generation networks.
- Unified Connectivity Experiences: In partnership with leaders from Safaricom and Taara, Ericsson explored how to future-proof digital networks by integrating technologies such as AI, IoT, and fixed wireless access.
- Smart Connectivity Through Renewable Energy: Ericsson’s Ayub Osman contributed to conversations on how renewable energy can serve as a catalyst for building resilient telecom infrastructure. These discussions aligned with Safaricom’s sustainability vision, which includes solar-powered sites, energy efficiency systems, and e-waste recycling.
- AI-Driven Networks: Ericsson was part of broader engagements showing how AI is revolutionizing connectivity management through predictive maintenance, performance optimization, and real-time analytics.
Supporting Safaricom’s Vision for Kenya
Ericsson’s presence was more than just technical — it was deeply collaborative. In his remarks, Dr. Peter Ndegwa, CEO of Safaricom PLC, commended partners like Ericsson for enriching Decode 3.0 with masterclasses, showcases, and thought leadership. He noted that the partnership helped “push the boundaries of innovation and knowledge sharing.”
Echoing this sentiment, Alain Maupin, Vice President and Head of Ericsson Central East Africa, said:
“Decode 3.0 presented an excellent opportunity for Ericsson to showcase our cutting-edge products and solutions, while sharing our thought leadership on key trends including 5G, Network Exposure, Open RAN, Telecom Security, and Mobile Financial Services.”
He also highlighted Ericsson’s ongoing role in supporting local talent and developers, aligning with Safaricom’s commitment to capacity building and digital inclusion, especially as Kenya prepares for Vision 2030.
Ericsson’s Broader Role in Africa’s Digital Ecosystem
Ericsson’s contribution to Decode 3.0 wasn’t in isolation. The company’s long-standing partnerships in Africa aim to:
- Expand mobile broadband access to underserved communities
- Empower local developers through API exposure and network programmability
- Advance Open Radio Access Networks (Open RAN) to reduce costs and enhance flexibility
- Ensure telecom security through proactive infrastructure design
- Drive sustainability through clean energy and optimized infrastructure
These efforts align with regional goals for inclusive economic growth, youth empowerment, and sustainable digital transformation.
Final Thoughts
Ericsson’s presence at Safaricom Decode 3.0 went beyond demos and panels — it was a statement of its deep-rooted belief in Africa’s innovation potential. As connectivity becomes more critical to social, economic, and environmental transformation, Ericsson is positioning itself as a central enabler of progress.
With a clear focus on collaboration, innovation, and inclusion, Ericsson’s role at the summit reinforces its pledge to co-create Africa’s digital future — one powered by intelligent, secure, and sustainable technologies.
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