Leveling up: Safaricom powers future of gaming in Kenya

Kenya’s gaming scene received a significant boost this week as industry leaders, developers, gamers and policymakers gathered at the Safaricom Gaming Conference FY25/26 in Nairobi.

The one-day forum focused on unlocking the country’s gaming potential through strategic investment, policy discussions and showcasing rising talent in eSports.

Speaking at the event, Chief Consumer Business Officer at Safaricom PLC Fawzia Ali underscored the telco’s ambition to become the leading enabler of gaming in the region.

“What we want to do at Safaricom is to position ourselves as the number one brand for gaming,” Ali said.

“Not just as a network provider, but as a facilitator, whether it is through broadband, 5G, or even custom propositions tailored for gamers.”

Ali emphasised Safaricom's commitment to building the infrastructure required to empower gamers across Kenya, especially in underserved regions.

“A gamer told me today that where he lives now, connectivity is not great. That is a gap we must bridge,” she stated.

“We are investing heavily, but we also need gamers to tell us what they want so we can tailor our services to meet that demand.”

A gamer’s journey: From Nairobi to Riyadh

Among the gamers present was Mweri Chege, better known in the eSports world by his in-game name, Mwerii.

A competitive Fortnite and Valorant player, Chege represents a new wave of Kenyan talent breaking into the international gaming arena.

“I started gaming when I was five, playing Lego and Minecraft with my brother,” Chege shared.

“By the time I was 16, I was playing Valorant competitively, and my team got selected for the Kenyan national squad. We ended up competing in Riyadh.”

That tournament in Saudi Arabia turned a teenage hobby into a validated career path and a powerful message to skeptical parents.

“My parents only took gaming seriously when I showed them my visa and plane ticket to Riyadh,” he laughed.

“Suddenly, I was not just playing games. I was going somewhere with it.”

Barriers and breakthroughs

Chege, like many local gamers, faces both online and offline challenges. Chief among them: poor internet infrastructure and limited parental support.

“Online, the biggest problem is servers. There are no African servers, so connection can be an issue,” he explained.

“Offline, it’s convincing your parents that gaming is more than a pastime.”

Despite these hurdles, Chege believes the Kenyan gaming ecosystem is headed in the right direction.

“Five years ago, I didn’t even know other Kenyan gamers existed. Now we have communities, national teams, and even corporate support,” he said, citing Safaricom and Shuffle PCs as examples.

The role of industry and government

The conference also served as a clarion call for policy reform, funding and inclusive infrastructure.

Safaricom, in particular, urged the gaming community to be vocal about their needs.

“We cannot create relevant solutions in a vacuum,” Ali said.

 “Tell us what you need. Whether it's better latency, accessible broadband, or more localised content, we are ready to support that growth.”

Chege echoed the sentiment, urging more companies and the government to invest in local tournaments and gaming events.

“More tournaments mean more visibility, more prizes, more validation. It tells gamers that there is a future here,” he said.

When asked what message he had for Kenyan parents still wary of gaming, Chege was clear:

“Let your kids game, but teach them balance. Make sure homework comes first, or maybe limit gaming to weekends. But give them a chance to explore what gaming could be.”

Building Kenya’s digital athletes

For Chege, success in eSports is not just about talent. It is about discipline.

“Treat it like an actual sport,” he advised aspiring gamers.

“Train even when there is no match, just like you would in football or basketball. Respect the grind and you will see results.”

As the curtains closed on the Safaricom Gaming Conference, the message was unmistakable: Kenya is ready to play on the global stage—but it will take infrastructure, investment and a unified ecosystem to get there.

Safaricom’s leadership, the rising visibility of players like Chege, and growing public interest signal that Kenya’s gaming sector is no longer a niche—it is an industry on the rise.