Shares

BAKE Business hosted an event with BLAZE that sought to clearly explain what the new sub-brand by Safaricom is (and isn’t). There was a panel discussion that was moderated by Samuel Mbugua and featured the following:

  • Andrew Riungu – Manager Consumer Insights and Research, Safaricom
  • Marion Wanyoike – Senior Manager, Youth Segments, Safaricom
  • Magunga Williams – Writer, Blogger (magunga.com) and Online Bookstore Owner
  • Muthoni Maingi – Digital Manager, Consumer and Enterprise Business Unit, Safaricom

Here are the key takeaways from the event.

1. BLAZE is a sub-brand within Safaricom with its own budget, marketing team, customer care and even airtime. It is not a tariff and it is therefore here to stay. It is anchored on three principles: Friendship, Success & Freedom.

2. BLAZE is the culmination of research undertaken on behalf of Safaricom by various agencies. Safaricom, in addition, also brought together 1,225 young people from all over the country to collect their views on Safaricom products and what they think the youth should be offered.

3. BLAZE targets the youth aged between 10 and 26 years of age. Once you sign on and are no longer in that age group, they can allow you to continue using the service for as long as you want.

4. Blogger Magunga Williams who owns magunga.com and the Magunga Bookstore book.magunga.com was singled out as the embodiment of BLAZER (BLAZE customer).

5. Magunga Williams started writing in campus and he shared that he got his first salary from blogging. He studied to be a lawyer and graduated but he chose to chart his own path and be a writer and he has been quite successful at it. He also shared how the idea of his bookstore came about and how he implemented. This video has more on the Magunga Bookstore story.

6. BLAZE allows those who use it to create their own plan that comprises of a certain number of texts, bundles and calls. (Read a comprehensive how to HERE)

7. Minors (those under 18) can register for BLAZE through their parent’s/guardian’s ID. A copy of the minor’s birth certificate will also be needed.

8. Those that are 18 and above can register by dialling *555#.

9. BLAZE has a youth council of 100 young people that advices the BLAZE team on what’s new and fresh. They will also onboard 590 young influencers from all over the country to further strengthen the BLAZE feedback mechanism.

10. BLAZE will have summits all over the country that will serve as mentorship platforms for the youth. The first summit took place in Eldoret and it featured Eric Muthomi – Stawi Foods CEO, Patricia Kihoro – actress & radio personality, Anyiko Awoko – media personality among others. The summits have different mentors to fit different youth and are even tailored to fit different regions.

11. BLAZE also features a TV show called BYOB (Be Your Own Boss) that is modelled after Shark Tank where the youth will be able to able to present their ideas and get funding. To take part one has to be at least 18 years old.

12. The BLAZE team has received a lot of feedback since launch and is taking it into consideration and will implement in phases what is possible.