Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Kenya are set to benefit from a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing cybersecurity measures. In a collaborative effort between Safaricom, Cloudflare, and East African systems integrator Copy Cat, these businesses will gain access to affordable and advanced cybersecurity services tailored to their specific needs.

The importance of this initiative cannot be overstated as MSMEs are critical drivers of Kenya’s economy, contributing over 40% to the country’s GDP and providing employment to approximately 86% of the workforce. However, the rapid pace of digitization has exposed these businesses to a growing array of cyber threats. Safaricom, Kenya’s leading telecommunications company, alongside Cloudflare, a global cybersecurity leader, and Copy Cat, is seeking to address these vulnerabilities through a comprehensive set of digital security solutions.

Affordable Cybersecurity for MSMEs

Under the partnership, Safaricom will offer Cloudflare’s robust suite of cybersecurity tools to Kenyan MSMEs at competitive rates. These cloud-based solutions, designed to safeguard businesses against the rising tide of cyberattacks, will be locally hosted in Safaricom’s data centers in Kenya. The collaboration will provide MSMEs with access to zero-trust security architecture, email security, and full-stack application and network protection.

These solutions will be available for as low as KSh 5,000 (about $34) per site per month, making it accessible to a wide range of businesses. Safaricom’s Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Cynthia Kropac, emphasized that the goal of the partnership is to offer powerful security infrastructure while keeping it affordable for MSMEs.

“Our aim is to make sure that every business, regardless of size, can have the same level of protection as large enterprises. Cybersecurity is not a luxury anymore but a necessity, especially in today’s digitized world,” Kropac stated during the announcement.

Growing Cybersecurity Threats in Kenya

The partnership comes at a critical time as the need for robust cybersecurity measures in Kenya continues to grow. According to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), the country experienced a 16.5% increase in cyberattacks between April and June 2024, totaling a staggering 1.1 billion cyber incidents. This spike underscores the increasing risks posed by system vulnerabilities, ransomware, phishing attacks, and other digital threats.

With MSMEs relying more on digital platforms for day-to-day operations, they have become prime targets for cybercriminals. Many of these businesses lack the financial and technical resources to implement advanced cybersecurity systems, leaving them particularly vulnerable. The CA’s report highlights that cyberattacks not only lead to financial losses but also erode trust, disrupt operations, and negatively impact business reputations.

By partnering with Cloudflare, a company that protects approximately 25 million internet properties globally, Safaricom aims to bring world-class security solutions within reach of Kenyan businesses. Graham Turnbull, Cloudflare’s Managing Executive, expressed his confidence in the collaboration, noting that it will allow Kenyan business owners to focus on their core activities while benefiting from enhanced digital security.

“Businesses today need to be proactive about cybersecurity,” Turnbull said. “With this partnership, we’re making it easier for MSMEs to access reliable security measures without having to worry about their cost or complexity.”

Why Cybersecurity is a Priority for Kenyan MSMEs

The role of MSMEs in Kenya’s economy is profound, and their digital transformation has been accelerating in recent years. Many of these enterprises have embraced e-commerce, mobile payments, and online service delivery to expand their market reach. However, this shift has exposed them to a growing array of cyber threats. For instance, common cyberattacks such as phishing, malware, and ransomware can devastate small businesses by crippling their operations or exposing sensitive customer data.

Phishing attacks, in particular, are on the rise in Kenya. In these attacks, cybercriminals impersonate legitimate organizations to trick individuals into providing confidential information. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), cybercrimes targeting MSMEs cost businesses millions of dollars annually. Yet, many MSMEs remain underprepared, either due to lack of awareness or limited financial capacity to invest in cybersecurity.

To address this, the Safaricom-Cloudflare partnership will focus on simplifying the implementation of advanced cybersecurity solutions. MSMEs will be able to access zero-trust security solutions, which treat all traffic as a potential threat, as well as advanced email protection systems designed to filter out malicious emails, protect sensitive data, and prevent phishing attempts.

Moreover, the services will be operational within hours, ensuring that MSMEs can quickly secure their digital infrastructure without suffering prolonged downtime. These tools will not only protect the businesses from potential financial losses but also help them comply with growing data protection regulations in Kenya and internationally, such as the Kenya Data Protection Act.

Impact on the Broader Digital Economy

This partnership aligns with Kenya’s broader efforts to strengthen its digital economy. As the country strives to become a regional tech hub, having a secure and reliable digital infrastructure is key to attracting investments and fostering innovation. The government, through the Ministry of ICT, has been working to promote the digitization of businesses, including MSMEs, as a way to boost economic growth and job creation.

By making cybersecurity a priority, Safaricom and Cloudflare are addressing one of the major barriers to digitization for Kenyan MSMEs: the fear of cyber threats. For many businesses, concerns over data breaches, fraud, and system hacking have slowed the adoption of digital tools. This partnership not only alleviates those concerns but also paves the way for more Kenyan businesses to embrace digital transformation confidently.

Additionally, Safaricom’s partnership with Cloudflare enhances the growing role of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in addressing national challenges. By bringing together the expertise and resources of a leading telco, a global cybersecurity provider, and a systems integrator, this collaboration demonstrates the potential of PPPs to drive positive outcomes in Kenya’s tech and business ecosystems.

A Look at Future Growth

With this new offering, Safaricom positions itself as a key enabler of digital transformation among MSMEs, which have historically been underserved when it comes to advanced technological solutions. In the long term, this partnership may also foster more trust in Kenya’s digital ecosystem, helping MSMEs expand their online presence and engage more confidently in global markets.

The increased availability of cybersecurity services could further spur the adoption of technologies such as cloud computing, mobile applications, and digital payments among Kenyan businesses. As they become more secure, MSMEs will likely invest more in technology, boosting productivity and innovation.

Moreover, Cloudflare’s advanced tools could play a significant role in promoting the growth of the fintech sector, which relies heavily on secure digital transactions. As Kenya continues to emerge as a fintech hub in Africa, robust cybersecurity will be critical in maintaining consumer confidence in online financial services.

In conclusion, the Safaricom-Cloudflare partnership represents a transformative step toward securing Kenya’s digital economy, particularly for MSMEs. By providing affordable, scalable, and effective cybersecurity solutions, this collaboration promises to protect businesses from the ever-growing threat of cybercrime while fostering a safer, more dynamic online marketplace. As digitization accelerates across the country, the importance of such partnerships will only continue to grow.

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Photo source: Google

By: Montel Kamau

Serrari Financial Analyst

23rd October, 2024