Safaricom has crossed the 50 million subscriber threshold in Kenya, marking a historic milestone as it nears 25 years of operations, with its eyes firmly set on deepening digital and economic impact across the region.
The telecommunications giant announced the landmark figure on Thursday, attributing the achievement to the “trust, loyalty, and partnership of Kenyans” that has defined its journey since its launch in 2000 with only 17,000 customers.
Safaricom’s current user base represents a nearly 3,000-fold growth over two and a half decades.
The surge in customer numbers, the company said, is partly the result of a sustained customer engagement drive launched in 2024, ahead of its silver jubilee in October 2025.
The campaign, which has featured consumer-centric efforts such as Sambaza Furaha and M-Pesa Sokoni, has been geared towards rewarding loyalty and bringing services closer to users.
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Dr Peter Ndegwa, the Group CEO of Safaricom PLC, acknowledged the scale of support from Kenyans over the years.
“We are honoured by the trust that over 50 million Kenyans have placed in us," Ndegwa stated.
He added, "This milestone reflects the deep connection we have built with Kenyans over the past two and a half decades, and as we approach our silver jubilee, we recommit ourselves to always being a force for good and creating what’s next for our customers.”
The company’s customer-first approach has also powered its rapid expansion into Ethiopia, where it recently crossed 10 million users as of July 2025—just two years after launching operations in the neighbouring country.
The growth in Ethiopia is part of Safaricom’s broader ambition to become “Africa’s leading purpose-led technology company by 2030”.
Reflecting on the company’s customer-first philosophy and long-term vision, Ndegwa added, “Our journey has always been about putting customers first, and this achievement is a direct reflection of that dedication. Looking ahead, our next chapter will be about deepening impact, personalising customer experiences, and driving Kenya’s digital transformation agenda.”
A cornerstone of Safaricom’s success has been its trailblazing innovations.
From pioneering mobile money through M-Pesa—now a fully-fledged digital financial ecosystem—to being at the forefront of deploying 3G, 4G, and 5G networks, the company has consistently pushed the boundaries of connectivity and digital services in Kenya.
Safaricom’s influence, however, stretches far beyond telecoms. In the past financial year alone, it contributed Sh722 billion to the Kenyan economy and supported over 1.28 million jobs.
Its philanthropic arms—the Safaricom and M-Pesa Foundations—have channelled support to more than 8 million people through programmes in healthcare, education, and economic empowerment.
The 50 million milestone comes at a time of renewed focus on digital transformation in Kenya.
Safaricom’s leadership has signalled its intent to continue shaping that narrative, not just with cutting-edge infrastructure but also through inclusive services that touch every corner of society.
As the company gears up for its 25th anniversary celebrations in 2025, it finds itself not only commemorating its past but also charting a forward path that could redefine its role in Kenya and beyond.
Safaricom’s story has become inseparable from the country’s own, woven into the fabric of a nation in motion—one that continues to innovate, adapt, and build on the foundations laid over the past quarter century.
