Safaricom has reached a significant milestone in Kenya's fixed internet market, surpassing one million subscriptions. According to data from the Communications Authority of Kenya, the telco had 1.025 million fixed data and internet subscriptions by the end of June, giving it a 36.1 per cent market share. This growth has been rapid, with the operator adding about 289,000 subscriptions over the 12 months, representing annual growth of 39.3 per cent.
The growth in Safaricom's fixed internet subscriptions is reflective of the overall expansion of Kenya's fixed internet market. Total subscriptions rose 32.4 per cent year-on-year to 2.84 million in June from 2.14 million a year earlier. The Communications Authority attributes this growth to intense competition, the shifting digital economy, and aggressive infrastructure rollouts. The fixed internet market has also seen a 6.9 per cent increase in subscriptions between March and June.
Safaricom's rise in the fixed internet market is particularly notable over the longer term. Its fixed internet base stood at 269,397 five years ago and only 40,015 in September 2017, when fixed broadband was still a relatively small segment of Kenya's telecommunications market. Its market share has consequently more than doubled from 15.2 per cent in September 2017 to 36.1 per cent currently.
Other players in the fixed internet market have also seen significant changes. Jamii Telecommunications remained a distant second with 541,003 subscriptions and a 19.1 per cent market share, followed by Wananchi Group, which includes Zuku, with 294,375 subscriptions and 10.4 per cent. Ahadi Wireless, operator of Konnect Internet, climbed to fourth position with 270,586 subscriptions, equivalent to 9.5 per cent of the market.
The market has also seen some notable movements, with Poa Internet losing ground. Its subscriptions fell 3.1 per cent during the quarter to 248,601 and were 7.4 per cent below the level recorded a year earlier. Poa has now posted four consecutive quarterly declines from a peak of 268,554 subscriptions in June 2025. In contrast, Vilcom Network recorded the fastest annual growth among the major providers, more than doubling its subscriptions to 186,240 from 87,654 a year earlier.
The broader market is also undergoing a technology shift, with fibre remaining the dominant fixed-access technology. Fibre subscriptions rose 29.7 per cent to 1.57 million, while terrestrial wireless grew 42.9 per cent to 1.03 million, and satellite subscriptions rose 54.4 per cent to 27,695. The Communications Authority attributed particularly strong growth in other fixed technologies to increased roll-out of radio technology by operators.
The intensifying competition in the fixed internet market is also being reflected in service offerings and investments. Safaricom increased speeds on several Home Fibre packages in April without corresponding monthly price increases, while Zuku followed with speed increases across several packages in May. Ownership and investment have also shifted, with Wananchi Group coming under new ownership and Mawingu securing a $20 million investment to support expansion into underserved markets.
Key points
- Safaricom has reached 1.025 million fixed internet subscriptions in Kenya, a 39.3% annual growth.
- The overall fixed internet market in Kenya has expanded rapidly, with total subscriptions rising 32.4 per cent year-on-year to 2.84 million.
- The market is undergoing a technology shift, with fibre, terrestrial wireless, and satellite subscriptions all seeing significant growth.
