Safaricom has increased its share of Kenya's mobile subscriptions to 69.8 percent in the three months to June, widening its lead over Airtel. According to Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) data, Safaricom's share of mobile subscriptions rose from 68.9 percent in March and 66.8 percent in December 2025. This growth has enabled Safaricom to maintain its dominant position in the Kenyan mobile market.
Airtel's share of mobile subscriptions, on the other hand, fell to 26.8 percent from 27.6 percent in March and 29.2 percent in December. Despite this decline, Airtel has gained ground in broadband and mobile money. Airtel's broadband share increased to 31.9 percent from 31.8 percent in March, while its mobile money share rose to 11.1 percent from 10.9 percent in March.
Safaricom also retained the largest share of mobile broadband subscriptions at 64.4 percent, although it was a decrease from 64.5 percent in March. The company's M-Pesa continued to dominate the mobile money market with an 88.8 percent share at the end of June, down from 89.1 percent in March. This dominance has contributed to Safaricom's strong financial performance.
In the year to March, Safaricom's revenue rose to Sh414.1 billion from Sh371.4 billion in the same period a year earlier, reflecting an 11.5 percent growth. M-Pesa revenue rose 13.4 percent from Sh182.7 billion, accounting for 45.6 percent of Safaricom's sales. This growth has been driven by increasing demand for mobile data and financial services.
Safaricom has been ramping up its data business to offset stagnating mobile calls. Its voice revenue has been falling due to saturation and the adoption of internet-based alternatives like WhatsApp and Messenger. The company is focusing on expanding its data services to drive growth. Airtel Africa, on the other hand, has not disclosed its performance data for specific markets like Kenya.
Airtel Africa reported that data revenues from its East Africa operations, which cover Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, and Malawi, jumped to $930 million (Sh120 billion) from $755 million (Sh97.7 billion) a year earlier. Mobile money revenues rose to $1 billion (Sh129 billion) from $747 million (Sh96.7 billion). This growth has been driven by increasing demand for data and mobile financial services.
The CA's latest data also shows Safaricom commands a 36.1 percent share of Kenya's fixed internet market, with 1,024,950 subscriptions. Jamii Telecommunications has 541,003 subscribers, representing 19.1 percent, while Wananchi Group commands 10.4 percent with 294,375 subscribers. Safaricom's dominant position in the Kenyan telecom market is expected to continue.
Key points
- Safaricom's share of mobile subscriptions rose to 69.8 percent in the three months to June.
- Airtel's share of mobile subscriptions fell to 26.8 percent in the same period.
- Safaricom's M-Pesa dominates the mobile money market with an 88.8 percent share.
