Safaricom Plc, Kenya’s leading mobile network operator, marked its Silver Jubilee, celebrating 25 years of operation since its official launch on October 23, 2000, a journey characterized by growth, innovation and transformation.
Dr. Peter Ndegwa, Chief Executive Officer of Safaricom Plc, hailed the two-and-a-half decades of existence as a period of connecting and transforming the lives of millions of Kenyans and people across the region.
The business has grown significantly and accomplished numerous milestones during the last 25 years. Safaricom just passed the 50 million user mark on its Kenyan mobile network, marking a historic milestone that highlights the company’s strong relationship with its clients. Looking to the future, the Safaricom is committed to providing its clients with excellent services at a reasonable cost, while customizing goods and services to meet their needs.
“From the first mobile call made on our network in 2000 to becoming a key driver of Kenya’s digital economy, our story has been one of innovation, inclusion and impact. We are deeply grateful to our customers who have walked this incredible journey of success with us,” said Dr. Peter Ndegwa.
M-Pesa, a mobile money transfer service first created by Safaricom in 2007, was intended to send and receive modest sums of money. With its rapid evolution, the platform now facilitates international transfers, loans, payments, and savings. There are more than 35 million active M-Pesa customers at the moment. The mobile money platform has been a key driver of financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, and economic growth.
In 2008, Safaricom got listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) through an Initial Public Offering (IPO), floating 10 billion shares at KES 5 per share. The shares were oversubscribed at 532% indicating strong investor appetite for the upstream company. The IPO remains one of the notable listings in the Kenyan Bourse, marking a significant milestone in Kenya’s capital markets.
The telecommunications giant has also made notable network upgrades, improving data and internet access from 3G in 2007 to 5G in 2025, positioning Kenya as one of Africa’s most connected digital economies. The firm has diversified into fintech, cloud services, home broadband, IoT, and data analytics, positioning itself as a comprehensive digital services provider.
In 2022, the telco expanded its footprint to Ethiopia, Africa’s second-most populous country with an estimated 136 million people. Safaricom became the first private mobile operator in Ethiopia. In the first quarter of FY26, Safaricom Ethiopia’s customers crossed the 10 million mark. Dr. Peter Ndegwa said that the accomplishment underscores the firm’s commitment to supporting Ethiopia’s digital transformation through inclusive, reliable, and high-quality mobile connectivity.
Safaricom Plc FY2025 Results
In the financial year ended March 31, 2025, Safaricom Plc recorded a total revenue of KES 388.7 billion, up 11.2% year-on-year. Service revenue rose by 10.8% to KES 371.4 billion, while Voice revenue increased by 1.8% to KES 81.9 billion. M-Pesa revenue edged up 15.1% to KES 161.1 billion, translating to 41.4% of the Groups total revenue. Mobile data revenue stood at KES 78.5 billion, up 16.5% year-on-year. Excluding minority interest, Safaricom Group registered a net profit of KES 69.8 billion, up 10.8% compared to a similar period last year.
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