In a first in Africa, Safaricom PLC has partnered with Huawei to unveil VybCall, Kenya’s first Video Ring Back Tone (VRBT) service, building on the legacy of Skiza that was launched nearly 20 years ago. According to Safaricom, VybCall introduces short-form videos that allow customers to personalize their caller waiting experience.

Currently, VybCall is available on the Safaricom Neon range of handsets, Samsung and Oppo devices and Xiaomi's Redmi A series, with planned support on vivo smartphones by June next year. Customers can opt in by dialing up*860# on the compatible smartphones.

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 ring back tone. 

“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 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 favourite tunes with callers. With shifting content consumption habits and growing global popularity of short-form video, Safaricom is innovating to keep its services relevant and valuable to customers. 

The new feature allows for monetisation capabilities for content through customisation, enhancing user experiences and will give businesses and 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.