Basic Profile & Background

Name: Safaricom PLC

Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya

Type: Public, listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange

Founded: 1997

Ownership: Major shareholders include Vodafone and the Government of Kenya, alongside a public free float.

Mission, Vision & Values

Mission: To transform lives, positioning itself as more than just a telecom provider.

Vision: To be a purpose-led technology company, driving innovation and partnerships.

Values: Simplicity, transparency, and honesty.

Business & Services

Safaricom operates as a diversified telecom and technology company with several business lines:

Business Area Description
Mobile Services Voice, SMS, and data (prepaid & postpaid).
Internet & Broadband 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G networks; fiber and fixed broadband services.
M-PESA (Mobile Money) Mobile payments, money transfers, savings, loans, and insurance services.
Enterprise Solutions ICT, cloud hosting, and connectivity for businesses.
Digital Services E-commerce, partnerships, and ecosystem development.
Market Reach & Scale

Safaricom is the largest telecommunications provider in Kenya.

Serves over 40 million customers.

Network covers more than 99% of the Kenyan population.

Expanding into Ethiopia through Safaricom Ethiopia.

Financials & Recent Performance

Among the most profitable companies in East and Central Africa.

Reports strong earnings and growth in both telecom and fintech.

Has raised sustainability-linked loans to support green energy initiatives.

Forecasting continued growth, especially from its Ethiopian operations.

Strategic Moves & Innovation

Expansion of 5G services across Kenya, with dedicated data bundles.

Licensing as an insurance intermediary, offering cover through M-PESA.

Ongoing innovation within M-PESA for payments, credit, and savings solutions.

Challenges & Risks

Facing competition from global satellite internet providers like Starlink.

Regulatory pressures and potential government stake sales.

Criticism over service fees, accessibility for low-income users, and data privacy concerns.

Expansion into Ethiopia brings regulatory, currency, and geopolitical risks.