Safaricom Announces Decode 5.0 With Africa-Wide AI Supergrid Plan
Safaricom Decode 5.0 places climate food and health at the front as it works toward a broader AI infrastructure across Africa
Safaricom has announced Decode 5.0, formally titled De{c0}de 5.0: The Rise of Africa’s AI Supergrid, outlining a plan to build shared AI infrastructure across multiple African markets. The announcement came at the close of Decode 4.0, where the company positioned its next phase around continental-scale systems rather than standalone products.
Safaricom Decode 5.0 is structured as a Pan-African initiative spanning Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Lesotho, the DRC, Mozambique, South Africa and Egypt. The company described the program as a combination of AI, open infrastructure and cross-border collaboration designed to support innovation at scale.
Safaricom Decode 5.0 Centers On Climate, Food And Health
The direction of Safaricom Decode 5.0 was introduced through a sequence of focus areas presented during the event: climate, food security and health. These sectors were framed as system-level priorities tied to infrastructure.
Climate references focused on energy systems, including renewable integration and data-led resource management. Food security was presented through agricultural intelligence, with metrics such as crop yield and soil conditions indicating a move toward connected farming systems. Health visuals pointed to digital care environments, including diagnostic tools and integrated service platforms.
These areas form the operational base for Safaricom Decode 5.0 as it expands beyond Kenya.
Regional Expansion Through Code Cafes
Alongside the announcement, Safaricom introduced a rollout model aimed at widening participation. The company plans to launch “Code Cafes” across regions including Eldoret, Kisumu and coastal areas, combining in-person engagement with online access.
The initiative follows feedback from participants who traveled across the country to attend Decode 4.0, with the next phase designed to reach developers and users closer to their local environments.
A Continental Infrastructure Approach
Safaricom positioned Decode 5.0 as a shared infrastructure layer that can operate across borders, with interoperability and collaboration at its core. The framing places the company in a role that extends beyond service delivery into enabling broader technology ecosystems.
A line from the closing address captured the stance: “We are not building the future, we are already in it.”
The next stage will focus on execution, as Safaricom begins regional engagement and prepares for the full rollout of Safaricom Decode 5.0.
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