Kenya’s top mobile operator Safaricom has strived to stay at the top of the carrier business in the country, and its wide array of products and services are tailored to meet the needs of local people from every walk of life. In a bid to satisfy the demands of different demographics across the country’s expanse, Safaricom has kept its innovation fire burning by launching new products. Some of these services and developments, such as BLAZE target millennials who, by definition, are tech savvy, meaning they are more into data services than voice.
Launched a little over 15 months ago, BLAZE was, and still remains to be a youth’s tariff. Markedly, the youth are a lion’s share of Kenya’s population, and oftentimes, they need a customized tariff that is aware of their financial muscle. Ideally, these are people who are hooked on their smart handhelds surfing the web. Ergo, Safaricom had to deploy a tariff that is relatively cheap in terms of data bundles, which is till coupled with custom options for voice and SMS.
On November 25, BLAZE held its 5th Be Your Own Boss (BYOB) regional summit of the year at the Mombasa Sorts Club. This marked the second season of BYOB that has seen thousands of young people mentored on how to turn their passions, motivations and goals into careers.
“So far over 30,000 young people have turned out for the previous five summits and we are also glad to have given out Sh2.9M worth of business support to deserving ventures that have demonstrated potential to grow. It’s motivating to see the great innovative young minds we have in Kenya!” said Sylvia Mulinge, Director, Consumer Business – Safaricom.
The summit oversaw participants get access to opportunities for a face to face engagement with key speakers, peer influencers and a network of like-minded youth.
At the same time, the summit served as platform where young people auditioned for the second season of the BLAZE BYOB TV show that will be out in 2018.
“BLAZE Platform currently has over one million users and in a couple of two weeks following Nairobi Summit, we are certain to hit the two million mark.” Said Charles Wanjohi Head of Consumer Segments Marketing- Safaricom.
Mombasa’s summit was packed to the brim with key mentors such as Nick Ondu – Fashion Blogger, Enos Olik- Video Director, Tosh Gitonga – Film Director, Jibril Blessing-Producer and videographer, Njugush – Comedian and actor, Abel Mutua- content developer, Wycliffe Waweru – entrepreneur and bicycle manufacturer, Caleb Karuga – Agripreneur as well as Bryan Wanyama of Matwana Matatu Culture.
For technology mentorship Blaze is partnering with E-mobilis, an agency delivering the Digital Skills Africa Program in partnership with Google.
