Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Kenya will now have access to affordable cybersecurity services under a new partnership between Safaricom, Cloudflare and East African systems integrator Copy Cat.
The partnership is designed to offer businesses digital security solutions at competitive prices.
Through this partnership, Safaricom will provide advanced cybersecurity services hosted locally in Kenyan data centres, including Cloudflare’s zero trust and email security.
Cloud-based solutions cost as little as Sh5,000 per site per month, with full application and network security up and running in no time.
Cynthia Kropac, Marketing Manager, Safaricom, stressed the importance of investing in strong cybersecurity to protect businesses from digital threats.
She highlighted the partnership’s goal of providing good security while making it accessible to MSMEs.
Data from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) underlines the growing need for cybersecurity. The CA reported a 16.5% increase in cyberattacks between April and June 2024, totalling 1.1 billion incidents.
This development reflects the increasing risk posed by system vulnerabilities and digital threats as businesses embrace digitalization.
Cloudflare CEO Graham Turnbull praised the partnership, saying it brings digital security solutions closer to business owners, allowing them to focus on maximizing profits and services while leveraging cybersecurity.
The partnership also comes ahead of the Safaricom Cybersecurity Summit, where Kropac said more will be revealed at the next event.
Cloudflare CEO Graham Turnbull said the partnership brings digital security solutions closer to business owners. Copycat CEO Vishal Patel added that businesses of all sizes benefit from enterprise-grade protection that allows them to measure security, speed, and trust with their digital infrastructure.
In another effort to target business owners, Safaricom partnered with Kenyan fintech Pezesha in June 2024 to offer small business owners new credit options. The product allows them to borrow directly from M-PESA business money. It is in addition to Safaricom’s existing credit products, such as M-Shwari and Fuliza.
But these efforts will be part of Safaricom’s efforts to attract more business; earnings before interest and tax of 139.9 billion Kenyan shillings ($1.07 billion) have negatively impacted business prospects and team orientation.
But it sees customer segmentation, public sector digitization and investment in new technologies as key drivers in achieving this success.
