Innovation is at the heart of Safaricom, and it is the fuel that has seen it grow from a department of the defunct Kenya Post and Telecommunications Corporation to a billion-dollar company over the last 24 years.

The techies behind innovation are driven by a desire to solve real-life problems, improve what is available, and envision what could be in the future.

Safaricom’s journey from a fledgling mobile operator to a tech company that has revolutionized financial inclusion with M-PESA and that plays a role in the lives of most Kenyans is a testament to how the spirit of innovation is nurtured.

In this edition of the Safaricom Newsroom podcast, Andrew Masila, Head of Innovation, Research and Development, and Kelvin Mutiso, UX Chapter Lead, Financial Services, share insights into how they innovate while keeping the 44 million subscribers at the centre of everything they do.

In this podcast, you will learn about the inspiration for bank statements for Pochi la Biashara, what is behind the newly launched M-Ratiba, balancing creativity and functionality when innovating, and how Safaricom is leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Big Data to fight fraud and meet the future needs of Gen Zs and Generation Alfa.

You will also get to imagine an M-PESA that lets you do quick calculations, a world where we are purely cashless, an app that caters to your mental and physical health and all your lifestyle needs, and how Safaricom seeks to power the future as a tech company through innovation.

Listen to or watch the conversation below.