Safaricom’s half-year results show that lower prices and higher earnings can grow together. Customers in Kenya now use more data, calls and M-PESA services. At the same time, they pay less for each unit they use. Group CEO Dr. Peter Ndegwa says this affordable growth drives the strong numbers. Kenya grew across the board, from mobile data to voice and fibre.
How Affordable Growth Works in Kenya
Safaricom kept adding customers and usage while it brought prices down. One-month active customers rose 7% to 40.6 million across the country. Customers who use more than 1GB a month grew 17.7% to 15.2 million. Kenya service revenue climbed 11.3% to KES 216 billion in six months. This affordable growth model rewards households and keeps the business healthy.
M-PESA revenue passed KES 100 billion in a half year for the first time. Traders, families and small businesses now use M-PESA for more daily needs. Merchant payments and financial services now grow faster than money transfers. Affordable growth also lifted group EBITDA by 27.5% to KES 129.4 billion. That figure equals roughly one billion US dollars for the half year.
Ethiopia Builds Steady Momentum
Safaricom Ethiopia now gains real scale three years after its launch. More customers join the network and use it more every month. M-PESA adoption keeps rising as people embrace mobile money services. Revenue grows while losses continue to narrow in the young market. The team plans to carry this affordable growth momentum into the second half.
In the second half, Safaricom will expand fixed broadband and enterprise services. The company will use AI to improve customer care and daily decisions. It will also build a stronger, more reliable network for customers. Safaricom keeps its financial outlook for the full year unchanged. Dr Ndegwa thanked customers, staff, partners and shareholders in both markets. He sees affordable growth as the path to a more connected, inclusive future.
