Safaricom crosses 50M customers, expands in Ethiopia, and powers Kenya’s digital and financial growth with M-Pesa and 5G tech.
Safaricom PLC has solidified its status as Kenya’s leading mobile network operator by surpassing 50 million customers across its platforms. The milestone comes ahead of its much-anticipated 25th anniversary celebrations in October 2025.
The company credited this achievement to a year-long customer engagement drive that deepened user connection and service reach. Safaricom Group CEO Peter Ndegwa celebrated the milestone, stating:
“We are honoured by the trust that over 50 million Kenyans have placed in us. This milestone reflects the deep connection we’ve built with Kenyans over the past two and a half decades.”
Safaricom launched in 2000 with just 17,000 subscribers. Today, it not only dominates Kenya’s telecom sector but also serves as a pillar of the country’s digital transformation, driven by innovation and social impact.
Customer Engagement Initiatives
Safaricom attributes part of its growth to successful campaigns like Sambaza Furaha and M-Pesa Sokoni, which brought rewards, digital services, and cashback offers directly to mobile users.
These initiatives have allowed Safaricom to personalize customer experience, increase loyalty, and further integrate services like mobile payments, voice, data, and entertainment.
Ethiopia Expansion Gathers Pace
Outside Kenya, Safaricom is making a significant impact in Ethiopia, where it now boasts over 10 million customers as of July 2025. This achievement follows Safaricom Ethiopia’s commercial rollout just four years after acquiring its telecom license.
Wim Vanhelleputte, CEO of Safaricom Ethiopia, remarked:
“Behind each SIM card there is an individual, a family, a business and a future.”
M-Pesa officially launched in Ethiopia on August 16, 2023. By December 2024, the mobile money service had already attracted 10.8 million users, underlining the strong demand for digital financial services in the region. Safaricom is currently pushing to grow app usage and expand offerings such as Fuliza—a popular short-term credit facility.
Strong Financial Performance
In the financial year ending March 31, 2025, Safaricom Kenya recorded:
- Net income of Sh69.8 billion
- Revenue of Sh381.2 billion, a 11.4% YoY increase
M-Pesa continues to be the main revenue driver, generating Sh161 billion—44.2% of the company’s service revenue in Kenya. The platform’s 15.2% annual growth pushed Safaricom’s total revenues beyond Sh388 billion ($3 billion) for the first time.
Infrastructure Investment & Connectivity
Safaricom remains a pioneer in mobile connectivity, having led the deployment of 3G, 4G, and now 5G technology in Kenya.
Its Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) service is growing steadily, especially in urban centres. According to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), Safaricom’s fixed internet customers rose to 678,118 in the latest quarter, up from 621,149, giving the company a 36.5% market share—the highest in the country.
Safaricom’s Social & Economic Impact
Safaricom isn’t just a telco—it’s a driver of national development. In FY2025, it:
The focus areas include education, healthcare, youth empowerment, and digital inclusion.
Safaricom is also advancing environmental sustainability, with a commitment to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050. According to Ndegwa:
“We are improving energy efficiency in our operations to reduce carbon emissions and fuel use.”
Looking Forward: Purpose-Driven Tech Leadership
Safaricom’s ambition is to become Africa’s leading purpose-driven technology company by 2030. The focus will remain on:
- Enhancing user experiences
- Accelerating Kenya’s digital transformation
- Scaling regionally in high-impact sectors
As Safaricom gears up for its silver jubilee, it stands as a model for how telcos can fuel economic growth, provide inclusive digital tools, and drive sustainable innovation across Africa.
