Safaricom and KNBS Partner to Harness Mobile Data for National Planning
According to the partners, the initiative seeks to demonstrate how anonymized and aggregated mobile data can complement traditional statistical methods, providing policymakers with deeper insights into population trends, mobility patterns, and socio-economic developments.
Safaricom PLC used the third day of the Global Data Festival and Kenya Space Expo & Conference to advance discussions on data governance, innovation, and the role of data in national development, while unveiling a new partnership with the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).
The event brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and technology experts to explore how data and emerging technologies can support more informed and inclusive decision-making. A key focus of the discussions was the responsible use of data and the need to balance innovation with privacy protection.
During a panel session titled “From Data Silos to Ethical Insights: Balancing Value and Privacy,” Safaricom’s Head of Customer Privacy, Sharon Holi, joined other industry leaders to discuss the growing importance of ethical data practices. The panel highlighted the role of privacy-by-design principles and responsible data management in building public trust, supporting innovation, and addressing societal challenges.
The conference also served as a platform for Safaricom to announce a strategic collaboration with KNBS aimed at exploring the use of mobile phone data insights to support public policy and national planning. The partnership will leverage the strengths of both organizations to generate data-driven insights that can help inform evidence-based decision-making across various sectors.
According to the partners, the initiative seeks to demonstrate how anonymized and aggregated mobile data can complement traditional statistical methods, providing policymakers with deeper insights into population trends, mobility patterns, and socio-economic developments.
The announcement reflects a broader effort to harness data and technology as tools for national development while maintaining strong safeguards around privacy and responsible data use. It also underscores the growing role of partnerships between the public and private sectors in unlocking the value of data for economic and social progress.
As the Global Data Festival and Kenya Space Expo & Conference entered its final stages, participants continued discussions on how emerging technologies, digital innovation, and data-driven strategies can contribute to a more connected, inclusive, and knowledge-based future for Kenya and the wider region.
