Safaricom Marks 25 Years of Innovation and Impact

Over the past two and a half decades, Safaricom’s growth has been powered by partnerships, innovation, and the trust of Kenyans. The company recently achieved a historic milestone, surpassing 50 million customers across its mobile network in Kenya,  a reflection of its deep-rooted connection with users nationwide

By TWV Business Desk

Safaricom on 23 October marked its Silver Jubilee, celebrating 25 years of operations since its official launch on 23 October 2000. Since its inception, Safaricom has evolved from a pioneering mobile service provider into a purpose-driven technology company, transforming lives through enhanced connectivity, innovative mobile money solutions, and impactful social investments,  not only in Kenya but across the region.

“Today, we are not only celebrating 25 years of existence, but also 25 years of connecting and transforming the lives of millions of Kenyans and people across the region. From the first mobile call made on our network in 2000 to becoming a key driver of Kenya’s digital economy, our story has been one of innovation, inclusion, and impact. We are deeply grateful to our customers who have walked this incredible journey of success with us. As we look to the future, we remain committed to driving digital transformation, supporting enterprise, and empowering communities to thrive in a connected world,” said Safaricom CEO Dr Peter Ndegwa.

Over the past two and a half decades, Safaricom’s growth has been powered by partnerships, innovation, and the trust of Kenyans. The company recently achieved a historic milestone, surpassing 50 million customers across its mobile network in Kenya,  a reflection of its deep-rooted connection with users nationwide.

Through M-PESA, which currently serves over 35 million active customers, Safaricom has redefined financial services, driving economic growth, financial inclusion, and entrepreneurship. The company has also made significant investments in network infrastructure to ensure reliable connectivity for all Kenyans. With the rollout of 5G technology, Safaricom has positioned Kenya as a regional leader in digital innovation, enabling faster internet speeds, supporting emerging technologies, and enhancing service delivery across multiple sectors, including convenient access to government services from any location.

In 2022, Safaricom expanded beyond Kenya’s borders by launching operations in Ethiopia, extending innovations such as M-PESA to support Ethiopia’s digital and financial inclusion agenda. By August 2025, Safaricom Ethiopia had grown to over 10 million customers, marking a major step in the company’s regional growth strategy.

In line with its purpose of Transforming Lives, Safaricom continues to invest in communities through its Foundations, supporting programmes in health, education, and environmental conservation. These initiatives have positively impacted millions of lives, reaffirming the company’s commitment to inclusive growth and sustainable development.