Safaricom, Huawei Redefine Caller Entertainment With Kenya’s First Video Ring Back Tone Service

Safaricom, in partnership with Huawei, has unveiled VybCall, Kenya’s first Video Ring Back Tone (VRBT) service, innovated off the well-known Skiza service, launched nearly 20 years ago. This new service introduces short-form videos that allow customers to personalize their caller waiting experience.

With VybCall, customers will now entertain their callers with curated video content as they wait for the call to be answered, adding a fresh twist to the traditional ringback tone. The service makes Kenya the first African country to introduce VRBT, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of digital mobile experiences.

“At Safaricom, we are constantly exploring new ways to give our customers choice and control through targeted experiences. The launch of Kenya’s first Video Ring Back Tone service is one way we are transforming daily moments creatively, buttressing our commitment to innovation,” said Safaricom CTIO, James Maitai.

VybCall is currently available on the Safaricom Neon range, select Samsung and Oppo devices, and Xiaomi’s Redmi A series, with planned support on Vivo devices in Q2 2026. Customers can opt in by dialing *860# on compatible devices or via the Safaricom App on vybcall.safaricom.com to set up.

“Vybcall will help the amazing creatives in Kenya, which is just one of the many ways that Huawei works with our partners to develop innovative technologies which improve customer experience and drive economic growth,” Said Gavin Gao, Huawei CEO- Kenya.

Since its introduction almost two decades ago, Skiza has been a household name, allowing customers to share their favorite tunes with callers. With shifting content consumption habits and the growing global popularity of short-form video, Safaricom is innovating to keep its services relevant and valuable to customers.

The new feature allows for monetization capabilities for content through customization, enhancing user experiences, and will give businesses an edge to turn idle time into a marketing opportunity.

The launch of VRBT highlights Safaricom’s ongoing investment in enhancing customer touchpoints, while advancing Kenya’s digital experiences.

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