Kenya's leading telecommunications service, Safaricom, surpasses the milestone of serving 50 million customers within its home country.
Safaricom Reaches 50 Million Mobile Network Users in Kenya, Celebrating a Quarter-Century of Innovation and Digital Inclusion
Safaricom PLC, a telecom company based in Kenya, has reached a significant milestone, amassing 50 million mobile network users in the East African nation. This achievement, as the company approaches its 25th anniversary in October 2025, marks a significant moment in Safaricom's 25-year journey of innovation and digital inclusion.
Since its launch in 2000 with just 17,000 subscribers, Safaricom has built profound trust, unwavering loyalty, and incredible partnership with Kenyans. This milestone is a testament to the relationships it has fostered with its customers, with initiatives like Sambaza Furaha and M-PESA Sokoni designed to bring services and rewards closer to communities across Kenya.
M-PESA, a service offered by Safaricom, has been instrumental in driving financial inclusion and connectivity in Kenya. The mobile money transfer and microfinancing service has played a central role in Kenya's digital transformation, with its rapid growth closely linked to the nation's digital transformation. M-PESA revenue grew by 15.2% driven by increased transaction volumes and broader usage, and the company continues innovating and investing heavily in M-PESA technology.
Safaricom reported a 10.8% year-on-year increase in service revenue to KShs 371.4 billion for the year ending March 2025, with net income up 12.7% to KShs 95.5 billion. Operating profit increased nearly 30%, and earnings per share grew, indicating robust financial health fueling growth initiatives.
Mobile data revenue also increased by 15.2% YoY, spurred by greater data consumption and wider 4G device adoption. Safaricom's network investment in Ethiopia highlights its regional expansion strategy and digital ecosystem growth beyond Kenya.
Under its Vision 2025 and Vision 2030 strategies, Safaricom is focused on accelerating 4G device affordability, leveraging AI for customer segmentation and hyper-personalization, expanding mobile financial services beyond payments, and driving Africa’s broader digital transformation. These initiatives aim to future-proof the company and deepen its role in Kenya’s digital economy.
The launch of M-PESA in Ethiopia and investment in 4G network expansion position Safaricom as a key player in East Africa’s digital transformation, aiming to leverage regulatory reforms and open financial sectors to foster inclusion and connectivity.
Safaricom plays a foundational role in Kenya’s digital transformation by providing essential mobile and financial digital infrastructure that supports business digitization, mobile banking, and digital payments, thus enhancing financial inclusion and enabling digital commerce across the country.
In sum, Safaricom’s growth is driven by innovative mobile financial services, expanding data usage fueled by 4G adoption, solid financial performance, strategic regional expansion, and its leadership role in Kenya’s digital ecosystem transformation. Its ongoing investments and strategic focus on technology innovation bolster Kenya’s broader digital economy and financial inclusion goals.
As Safaricom moves towards its silver jubilee, the company has reaffirmed its commitment to always being a force for good and creating the next for its customers. The company remains committed to transforming lives and shaping the future of mobile services in Kenya.
- In its journey towards its quarter-century anniversary, Safaricom PLC, a prominent telecoms player, is actively investing in technology, particularly in the development of its M-PESA service, which is a crucial element in the financial industry.
- Safaricom's expansion strategy extends beyond Kenya's borders, reaching Ethiopia, positioning the company as a key player in East Africa's telecoms and finance sectors, contributing significantly to the region's digital transformation.
