As Safaricom marks 25 years in Kenya, the clearest sign of its influence is not in corporate earnings, but in the rise of local businesses learning to compete in a tougher, faster digital economy. Three companies, Skyward Airlines, Freight In Time, and Nao Packaging Solutions offer a window into how technology is reshaping MSMEs ambition across the country in 2025.
Skyward Airlines began in 2013 with one aircraft and a small team. It now operates 18 planes and carries tens of thousands of passengers across East Africa. The shift came when the airline adopted AI-driven predictive tools to manage fuel, weather patterns, and route demand. This gave it the agility to respond to disruptions and price volatility an edge that matters in a region where operational swings can cripple smaller airlines. The result is a business that has scaled faster than its peers by building resilience into its operations.
In regional logistics, Freight In Time has turned long-standing pain points into competitive strengths. The company uses enterprise connectivity, digital communication tools, and integrated payment systems to streamline regional cargo flows. What were once bottlenecks paperwork, delayed cash cycles, inconsistent communication — are now areas of efficiency. The company’s model hints at a broader shift: logistics firms that digitise aggressively are better placed to support East Africa’s cross-border trade ambitions.
Meanwhile, Nao Packaging Solutions represents the grit of Kenya’s MSME sector. Operating in a crowded and capital-tight market, the company struggled with slow payments, limited customer reach, and inefficient manual processes. Digital tills, M-PESA integration, cloud tools, and reliable internet have changed that. Orders are processed faster. Payments clear instantly. Customer acquisition is no longer restricted by geography. The business now shows a growth curve that felt out of reach just a few years ago.
Catalyst for Entrepreneurship and Digital Transformation
Technology has become a levelling force. As Safaricom celebrates its silver jubilee, these MSMEs illustrate what accessible digital infrastructure can unlock. Their progress signals a deeper trend in Kenya’s economy one where small and mid-sized businesses can scale not by size, but by smart use of technology.
