NAIROBI – April 2, 2026 – There was excitement, laughter, and applause at Safaricom’s Decode 4.0 summit as “Sarah,” a humanoid robot, waved, danced, and interacted with curious attendees in a display that captivated the crowd.
Amid a hall filled with engineers, developers, and innovators, the robot became the main attraction, offering participants a glimpse into a future where artificial intelligence and robotics may become part of everyday life.
Sarah was developed by Huawei Kenya in partnership with Safaricom as part of ongoing efforts to explore how robotics and AI can support Africa’s digital transformation.
According to Huawei Kenya Solution Director Alan Ren, the robot is part of a pilot project aimed at adapting advanced robotics technology already used in China for the Kenyan market.
“Sarah is a small innovation we are developing with Safaricom. We are leveraging experience from China to train her locally and explore practical use cases,” he explained.
During the event, Sarah demonstrated basic functions such as waving, dancing, and responding to simple interactions, drawing strong reactions from attendees.
The next phase of development will integrate large language models, enabling the robot to engage in real-time conversations and more advanced interactions with users.
“Soon, you will be able to say ‘Hi Sarah’ and have a conversation. She will respond in real time while performing actions,” Ren added.
The robot is expected to be part of Safaricom’s innovation hub, where AI-based solutions will be tested and applied across different industries.
Developers at the summit also highlighted potential use cases in sectors such as mining, logistics, port operations, and delivery services, where automation could improve efficiency and safety.
However, Ren dismissed fears that robots could replace human jobs, noting that AI is designed to support human work rather than replace creativity.
“Robots execute tasks created by humans. They cannot generate the ideas that change the world,” he said.
He also noted that building humanoid robots remains technically challenging, particularly in achieving natural movement, balance, and coordination.
Safety and regulation were also highlighted as important considerations, with comparisons made to China, where strict rules govern the use of such technologies.
Looking ahead, experts at the summit predicted that robots could increasingly be used in high-risk environments to reduce human exposure to danger.
“In the next five years, many dangerous jobs may be handled by robots. The pace of change will be faster than what we have seen before,” Ren said.
Beyond robotics, attendees were also fascinated by live 3D printing demonstrations led by Dennis Poriot, a product designer at Beyond 3D Africa.
Poriot showcased how digital designs can be turned into physical objects in real time, helping to demystify a technology that many had only seen online or in films.
“We help people make things. Anyone can take an idea and turn it into a real product,” he said.
He added that 3D printing is now accessible even without owning a machine, as individuals can collaborate with service providers to bring ideas to life.
Attendees, including students, watched closely as printers gradually built objects layer by layer, with many describing the experience as fascinating and engaging.
Organizers emphasized that events like Decode 4.0 play a key role in exposing young people to emerging technologies and inspiring innovation.
As Kenya continues to grow as a technology hub, showcases like Sarah the robot and 3D printing demonstrations highlight a shift from simply consuming technology to actively creating it.
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