Airtel’s Market Share Drops As Safaricom Maintains Market Leadership

The listed technology firm has retained its leadership in Kenya’s mobile market, holding a 65.1 per cent share of SIM card subscriptions, according to the latest Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) sector statistics.

In its Fourth Quarter Sector Statistics Report for the 2024/2025 financial year (April–June 2025), the CA notes that Safaricom added 1.7 million new subscriptions, pushing its customer base to 49.9 million, up from 48.2 million in the previous quarter.

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) attributed the strong performance to the expansion of mobile cellular networks, with 4G now covering 97.3 per cent of the population and 5G reaching 30 per cent.

In addition, growth has been underpinned by the rising demand for e-services, financial inclusion, and social connectivity, alongside the continued migration from feature phones to smartphones. This shift has boosted internet access, accelerated data consumption, and deepened digital inclusion across various sectors. The combination of affordable devices and enhanced infrastructure has sustained momentum, embedding online services more firmly into both social and economic life.

Airtel, by contrast, recorded a dip in its numbers, shedding 869,535 subscriptions, which represents a 3.55 per cent decline during the same period despite having posted strong growth earlier.

Furthermore, as of June 30, 2025, Kenya had 58.5 million internet subscriptions, with the majority (78.2%) on mobile broadband. This was a 27.3 per cent increase from 52.5 million subscriptions in June 2024.

During the reporting period, Safaricom commanded 62.8 per cent of the referenced mobile broadband subscriptions.

Safaricom was also the market leader in fixed data/Internet subscriptions with a market share of 34.3 per cent and 90.9 per cent in mobile money subscriptions.

Safaricom also maintained leadership in voice and SMS traffic with 63.4 per cent and 88.46 per cent, respectively.

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