Safaricom blocks 94% of fraud with AI, warns of deepfake threats
Summary
Safaricom reported that its use of artificial intelligence has successfully blocked 94% of attempted fraud in real time, according to CEO Peter Ndegwa, during a cybersecurity summit in Nairobi. This achievement comes as the Kenyan government, represented by Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo, raised alarms about the dual nature of AI technology, which not only enhances fraud detection but also facilitates sophisticated cybercrime, including deepfakes and phishing attacks that threaten children. In response to these challenges, Kenya is advancing a robust legal and regulatory framework for AI, aiming to protect vulnerable populations while promoting responsible innovation in the digital economy.
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Analysis
Safaricom: Safaricom is East Africa’s largest telecommunications company and a key provider of mobile financial services through its M-Pesa platform. In the news, the company highlights its deployment of artificial intelligence to detect and block fraudulent transactions in real time during a cybersecurity summit. CEO Peter Ndegwa emphasized that AI-driven customer behavior analysis and risk pattern recognition are now integral to protecting digital payments and building customer trust. Peter Ndegwa: Peter Ndegwa serves as chief executive of Safaricom, leading the company’s strategy on technology, cybersecurity and digital services across Kenya and the region. At the cybersecurity summit covered in the news, he explained how AI enables real-time fraud prevention and stressed that cybersecurity has become a core leadership and business-growth responsibility rather than a purely technical issue. He also advocated for applying AI to local African challenges and ensuring accountability in critical systems. William Kabogo: William Kabogo is Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and Digital Economy, responsible for national policy on technology, data protection and cybercrime. In the news, he warned at Safaricom’s summit that generative AI is enabling sophisticated deepfakes, voice cloning and online abuse targeting children, calling for coordinated action among government, schools, parents and tech firms. He outlined ongoing efforts including the Kenya AI Strategy 2025-2030 and a proposed Artificial Intelligence Bill to balance innovation with safeguards. AI Dual Use: Artificial intelligence is simultaneously strengthening fraud detection in financial services and powering more sophisticated cyber attacks such as deepfakes and automated phishing. Child Protection: Governments and international bodies are increasingly focused on shielding children from AI-generated sexual imagery, impersonation and harmful online interactions as these threats become more accessible. Policy Development: Kenya is advancing a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework for AI that includes data protection laws, a national AI strategy and a proposed bill to establish oversight mechanisms while encouraging responsible innovation.
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