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Safaricom’s newest talent bet isn’t another flashy product launch or limited-time data bundle. Instead, it’s a quiet but consequential investment in the people who will physically build and maintain Kenya’s digital backbone, and early results suggest it’s already working.

At the centre of this push is the Connect Academy, a specialised training programme launched during the 2024 Connected Africa Summit in partnership with the ICT Authority of Kenya. This week, its first cohort of 48 students graduated, and the numbers tell a compelling story: 98% of them have already secured jobs at Safaricom and partner organisations.

For anyone eyeing future editions of the Connected Africa Summit or considering applying to the next Connect Academy intake, Cohort 1 offers a clear picture of what participation can unlock.

From summit stage to career pipeline

The Connect Academy was introduced as part of Safaricom’s broader strategy to address a growing shortage of skilled digital infrastructure technicians. As Kenya accelerates its digital transformation, from fibre connectivity to smart cities and enterprise-scale networks, demand for hands-on deployment expertise has outpaced supply.

Rather than rely solely on conventional academic pathways, Safaricom and the ICT Authority designed a three-month, intensive programme focused on practical, industry-ready fibre deployment skills. The goal: produce technicians who can step straight into real-world roles with minimal transition time.

Dr. Peter Ndegwa, CEO of Safaricom PLC, framed the initiative as a long-term investment in Kenya’s connectivity ecosystem, noting that the programme reflects the company’s commitment to building the country’s digital future by equipping people with future-ready technical skills.

“The Connect Academy to us represents our commitment to building Kenya’s digital future by investing in technical future-ready skills in the people who make connectivity possible. This graduating class is stepping into a digitally led future, and we are assured that the future is in good hands,” said Dr. Ndegwa.

For Cohort 1, this vision translated into structured training that blended theory, practical application, and live exposure to working environments — a combination that’s often missing in traditional ICT training models.

What Cohort 1 actually gained

Participants in the inaugural cohort didn’t just sit through classroom sessions. Over the three-month period, they received:

Hands-on fibre deployment and digital infrastructure training aligned with current industry standards
Direct mentorship from experienced industry professionals
Exposure to real-world work environments and operational scenarios
Career placement opportunities through Safaricom and its partner network

The outcome? Nearly the entire class transitioned straight into employment, underscoring the programme’s effectiveness as more than just a training course. It’s quickly shaping up as a career bridge into Kenya’s telco and infrastructure sector.

Students were drawn from multiple channels, including Safaricom’s existing technician base, referrals through the Connected Africa Summit, and community applicants.

Cohort 2 set to begin in January 2026

If Cohort 1 is any indication, the Connected Africa Summit is no longer just a conference for policy discussions and keynote speeches. It’s becoming a launchpad for tangible opportunities ranging from upskilling programmes to direct job pathways.

“This partnership couldn’t have happened at a more opportune time,” said Zilpher Owiti, Ag. CEO ICT Authority Kenya. “As a country, we have a national goal of strengthening the ICT workforce. By ensuring alignment of training with industry needs, the Connect Academy is helping to create a continuous pipeline of skilled technicians who will drive Kenya’s digital infrastructure expansion in the coming years.”

The Connect Academy’s roots in the summit highlight how participation goes beyond networking and thought leadership. For aspiring technicians and early-career ICT professionals, the summit now represents:

Access to specialised training opportunities like the Connect Academy
Eligibility for future cohorts and industry referrals
Direct exposure to organisations shaping Kenya’s digital infrastructure
A potential fast-track into formal employment within the ICT ecosystem

With Cohort 2 set to begin in January 2026, Safaricom and the ICT Authority have signalled plans to expand and refine the programme, continuing to align training with evolving industry needs and national ICT workforce goals.