By Correspondent
Safaricom, in partnership with Huawei, has launched VybCall, a new service that turns the waiting period of a phone call into a personalized video experience.
This innovation replaces the traditional audio ringback tone with short-form videos, making Kenya the first country in Africa to introduce Video Ring Back Tone (VRBT) technology.
The service evolves the iconic Skiza platform, which has allowed Kenyans to share music with callers for nearly two decades. VybCall now enables customers to entertain callers with curated video content while they wait for an answer.
“We are constantly exploring new ways to give our customers choice and control,” said James Maitai, Safaricom’s Chief Technology and Information Officer (CTIO).
“This launch transforms a daily moment creatively and reinforces our commitment to innovation.
”The service also opens new monetization avenues, giving content creators a fresh platform to earn and businesses a unique opportunity to turn idle call time into a marketing moment.
Gavin Gao, CEO of Huawei Kenya, emphasized the local impact, stating, “VybCall will help the amazing creatives in Kenya. This is one of the many ways Huawei works with partners to develop innovative technologies that improve customer experience and drive economic growth.”
Customers can activate VybCall by dialling *860# on compatible devices or by visiting vybcall.safaricom.com via the Safaricom App.
The service is currently available on the Safaricom Neon range, select Samsung and Oppo devices, and Xiaomi’s Redmi A series, with support for Vivo devices planned for the second quarter of 2026.
