Safaricom has unveiled a 25% discount on all new business fibre connections for the next two months, targeting firms in fibre-ready buildings.
The offer, announced at the Grow with Safaricom Business Forum in Nairobi, is part of a broader strategy to defend its lead in Kenya’s fixed broadband market and deepen its reach among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
“This offer on fibre to the business will ensure MSMEs have access to the fastest, most reliable internet that matches their ambitions,” said Frankline Okata, Acting Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Safaricom PLC.
New Pricing Breakdown
- 15 Mbps plan: Now KES 2,249/month (down from KES 2,999)
- 100 Mbps plan: Now KES 4,724/month (down from KES 6,299)
These revised rates position Safaricom below rivals like Liquid Intelligent Technologies (KES 2,999 for 15 Mbps) and Jamii Telecom (starting at KES 2,500), giving it a pricing edge in the SME segment.
Market Dynamics
Safaricom currently serves over 678,000 fixed internet customers and holds a 36.5% market share. The telco is bundling the fibre offer with business credit products to ease payment pressures and support digital adoption.
“We have introduced business credit solutions that leverage transaction history and real-time business performance to offer practical, accessible, and flexible credit solutions tailored to the needs of entrepreneurs,” Okata added.
The move comes as satellite provider Starlink faces a slowdown in Kenya, with its user base shrinking to 17,000 in March 2025 amid network congestion. Although Starlink has installed new ground stations near Nairobi, the dip has opened a window for Safaricom to attract undecided customers.
Meanwhile, fibre competitors are ramping up their SME offerings with bundled services and promotional rates, intensifying the race for market share.
Business Implications
- Strategic Positioning: Safaricom’s price cut signals a defensive and expansionist play, aiming to lock in SMEs before rivals gain ground.
- Credit Bundling: By pairing connectivity with flexible financing, Safaricom is addressing two major SME pain points—cash flow and digital access.
- Long-Term Bet: The telco appears to be prioritising customer retention and digital ecosystem growth over short-term margins.
According to Safaricom’s 2025 annual report, fixed business revenue grew 12.9% year-on-year to KES 17.1 billion, with enterprise customer numbers rising 17.5% to 69,900. The company’s dual focus on connectivity and financial tools reflects a maturing strategy to embed itself deeper into Kenya’s digital economy.
Outlook
As Kenya’s SMEs increasingly digitise operations, reliable and affordable broadband is becoming a business essential. If Safaricom’s promotion drives significant uptake, it could trigger a wave of competitive responses from other ISPs; reshaping the landscape for enterprise connectivity.
