Safaricom has launched its Decode 4.0 engineering summit in Nairobi, projecting 2026 as Kenya's "Year of AI" and showcasing significant upgrades to its M-Pesa platform.

• Safaricom Group Chief Technology Officer James Maitai declared 2026 the "Year of AI" and aims for the company to become a purpose-driven technology firm by 2030.
• The summit features Fintech 2.0, a significant M-Pesa overhaul introducing autonomous self-healing and advanced fraud detection.
• The three-day Decode 4.0 summit, themed "Made of Kenya," is attracting over 100,000 participants and global tech partners including Microsoft and Google.

Telegram has launched its April 2026 update for Android and iOS, introducing a suite of new features designed to enhance user experience and messaging capabilities.

• A key addition is a new AI-powered text editor that can fix grammar, rewrite text, and translate messages, promising a privacy-focused approach.
• Telegram has significantly expanded its poll features, now allowing media and locations in questions and choices, as well as time limits and shuffled options.
• The update also brings support for Live and Motion Photos, iOS document scanning, and warnings for unofficial clients, reinforcing the use of official apps.

Kenyan apps can significantly boost user engagement by focusing on delivering quick value, being lightweight, and utilizing timely, consent-based messaging, according to Techish Kenya.

• Apps that provide value within the first minute and are efficient on devices encourage repeat usage.
• Success relies on understanding user behaviour through combined CRM and analytics data to drive relevant communication.
• Building loyalty involves offering practical referral rewards and personalizing in-app moments, making apps indispensable to daily life.