Safaricom Partners with Cloudflare and Copycatgroup to Enhance Cybersecurity for Kenyan MSMEs

In a significant move to bolster digital security for businesses in Kenya, Safaricom has announced a strategic partnership with Cloudflare, a leading global web infrastructure and cybersecurity provider, and Copycatgroup, a prominent business technology provider in Africa. This collaboration aims to protect micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) from the increasing threats of data breaches and cyberattacks, which have become prevalent in today’s digital landscape.

Affordable Cybersecurity Solutions for MSMEs

Recognizing the unique challenges faced by MSMEs in Kenya, Safaricom is committed to providing affordable and reliable cybersecurity solutions tailored to their needs. Businesses can now subscribe to cloud-based cybersecurity plans starting from KES 5,000 (approximately $35) per site per month. This pricing model is designed to make advanced digital security accessible to smaller enterprises that may have previously struggled to afford such protections.

Safaricom emphasizes that these solutions can be operational within hours, allowing businesses to quickly implement necessary security measures without significant downtime. This rapid deployment is crucial for MSMEs that need to maintain their operations while safeguarding their digital assets.

Unmatched Processing Capacity

One of the standout features of this partnership is Cloudflare’s impressive processing capacity of over 248TB, which is touted to be "30 times more than any other provider in the market." This capability ensures that businesses can rely on robust and scalable security solutions that can handle high volumes of traffic and data, making it an ideal choice for growing enterprises.

Cynthia Kropac, Safaricom’s Chief Enterprise Business Officer, highlighted that this partnership is redefining how MSMEs protect themselves in an evolving digital landscape. By offering enterprise-grade solutions, Safaricom aims to empower these businesses with the tools they need to defend against cyber threats effectively.

Comprehensive Cybersecurity Tools

The partnership focuses on providing a full-stack suite of cybersecurity tools, ranging from basic protection to advanced solutions. Kropac reiterated that affordability and accessibility are central to this initiative, ensuring that businesses of all sizes can benefit from comprehensive security measures.

Among the offerings are Cloudflare’s zero-trust services and email security, which will be hosted locally in data centers within Kenya. This local hosting not only enhances performance but also aligns with data sovereignty requirements, giving businesses peace of mind regarding their data security.

Upcoming Cybersecurity Summit

As part of this initiative, Safaricom is gearing up for its Cybersecurity Summit, where Kropac indicated that more exciting announcements would be made. This event will serve as a platform to further educate business owners about the importance of cybersecurity and the tools available to them through this partnership.

A Broader Strategy for Business Growth

This partnership with Cloudflare and Copycatgroup is part of Safaricom’s broader strategy to enhance its service offerings for businesses. Earlier in June 2024, Safaricom also partnered with Pezesha, a Kenyan fintech, to provide new credit options for small business owners. This initiative allows entrepreneurs to borrow money directly through their M-PESA business accounts, complementing existing loan products like M-Shwari and Fuliza.

These efforts are indicative of Safaricom’s commitment to onboarding more businesses and enhancing their digital capabilities. The company recently reported earnings of KSh 139.9 billion ($1.07 billion) before interest and tax, surpassing market expectations. This financial success is attributed to key performance drivers, including customer segmentation, public sector digitization, and investments in new technologies.

Conclusion

The partnership between Safaricom, Cloudflare, and Copycatgroup marks a pivotal moment for the cybersecurity landscape in Kenya. By providing affordable and robust digital security solutions, this collaboration aims to empower MSMEs to navigate the complexities of the digital world confidently. As cyber threats continue to evolve, initiatives like these are essential for fostering a secure and resilient business environment in Kenya.

For business owners looking to enhance their cybersecurity posture, this partnership represents a significant opportunity to access enterprise-grade solutions that were once out of reach. With the backing of industry leaders, Kenyan MSMEs can now focus on growth and innovation, knowing that their digital assets are well-protected.