Safaricom’s Cynthia Kropac Calls for AI-Ready Infrastructure at Connected Africa Summit 2025

Safaricom ’s Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Cynthia Kropac, delivered a keynote address at the Connected Africa Summit 2025 , urging leaders to accelerate the continent’s digital transformation by laying the groundwork for an AI-powered economy.

Speaking under the theme “Building the Rails for AI: Laying the Foundations for Africa’s Intelligent Economy,” Kropac highlighted Africa’s unique demographic opportunity—with 75% of its population under 25—and the urgent need to expand broadband access, currently at just 40%. She noted that AI could unlock $1.2 trillion in GDP gains over the next five years, transforming sectors like healthcare, education, agriculture, and financial inclusion.

From powering AI-ready data centers to enabling real-time agricultural insights and digital financial services, it is building the digital infrastructure that will power Africa’s intelligent economy.

The question is no longer whether Africa will be AI ready ,it’s whether the world is ready for African AI.

– Cynthia Kropac, Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Safaricom