Tech giant Safaricom PLC is celebrating 25 years of setting the pace in digital innovation in Kenya, a strategy that has seen the company carve its niche in the country's economy while transforming lives.

Established in October 2000, Safaricom has grown to hit various milestones, the latest being a 50 million subscriber base in Kenya, even as its presence in Ethiopia soars past 10 million customers according to the latest disclosures.

“Today, we are not only celebrating 25 years of existence, but we are also celebrating 25 years of connecting and transforming the lives of millions of Kenyans and 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,” said Dr. Peter Ndegwa, CEO, Safaricom PLC.

He added: “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.”

Purpose-led technology company

In a statement on Thursday, the telco giant said for the last 25 years it has evolved from a pioneering mobile service provider into a purpose-led tech company, transforming lives through improved connectivity, innovative mobile money services, and impactful social investments.

At the moment, the Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed company's financial services arm, M-PESA, has over 35 million active customers, and continues to redefine financial services offerings, driving economic growth, financial inclusion, and entrepreneurship across Africa.

For the fiscal year ended 31st March 2025, Safaricom saw 11.2 percent increase in total revenue to KES388.7 billion ($3 billion) with net income rising by 10.8 percent to KES69.8 billion.

During the year under focus, M-PESA service revenue increased by 15.2 percent to KES161.1 billion, accounting for roughly 44.2 percent of Safaricom Kenya’s service revenue. 

The firm said growth in M-PESA was attributable to diversification beyond payments, accelerated consumer and business payments innovations.

Rollout of 5G network

Additionally, Safaricom's investments in network especially rollout of 5G continues to position Kenya as a regional leader in digital innovation. Through 5G signal, customers benefit from faster internet speeds, supporting emerging technologies, and improved service delivery across sectors including access to key government services.

What's more, the company has enhanced its social impact programmes through its M-PESA Foundation and Safaricom Foundation. Combined, these foundations run initiatives offering support to citizens across health, education, and environmental conservation.

Safaricom PLCs' milestones since 2000:—

October 2000: Safaricom starts mobile telephony operations in Kenya, company initially acquired by Vodafone Group PLC through a 40 percent stake purchase. Company pioneers per second billing, and enhances network coverage in Nairobi and Mombasa areas.

2001: Safaricom subscribers cross 300,000 as network coverage in Kenya entering key towns and areas.

2002: As competition in the country’s mobile telephony hots up, Safaricom rolls out SIM cards retailing at KES99 while also offering its growing customer base KES100 airtime scratch cards. This was the lowest priced airtime in the market at the time. Profits increase by a jaw dropping 132 percent that year.

2003: As mobile telephony gathers pace, telco launches ‘Simu Ya Jamii’, offering customers opportunity to make calls without necessarily owning handsets. That year, Safaricom subscribers cross one million as telco unveils Safaricom Foundation to drive impact in lives through health, education and economic empowerment programmes.

2004: Safaricom pioneers mobile internet service.

2005: Safaricom sets the country abuzz with two iconic innovations, 'Sambaza' and 'please call me', which continue to reverberate today.

2006: Safaricom subscribers increase to five million. 

2007: Launch of M-PESA stirs global fintech market. Between March and December 2007, over a million Kenyans enjoy M-PESA services, largely sending and receiving mobile money. 

2008: In June, Safaricom lists at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), completing the largest Initial Public Offering in East Africa, attracting over 750,000 individual shareholders. To-date Safaricom remains the most active counter at the Nairobi bourse.

2010: With the era of social media platforms Facebook and Twitter (now X) gathering pace, Safaricom PLC opens customer support channels via these platforms. This year, founding CEO Michael Joseph is succeeded by the late Bob Collymore.

2013: Safaricom’s Lipa na M-PESA service stirs the market, expanding options for cashless payments for customers in Kenya. In the aftermath of Westgate Mall 13th September, 2013 terror attack, Safaricom's #weareone drive raises over KES100 million largely via Lipa na M-PESA.

2014: With 3G signal already in significant parts of the country, Safaricom PLC launches 4G targeting customers in Nairobi and Mombasa.

2015: As the need for faster financial transactions intensify, Safaricom relocates M-PESA severs from Germany to Kenya. This year, M-PESA and KCB Bank Kenya announce a tie up, allowing mobile to bank and vice versa transactions. KCB-MPESA loan service enters the market, too.

2017: Safaricom PLC hits a milestone as subscribers hit 25 million.

2019: In collaboration with lenders KCB, and NCBA, Safaricom unveils Fuliza, an overdraft service that allows M-PESA users to seal transactions even when they have insufficient mobile wallet balances.

2020: Safaricom, in coordination with the Central Bank of Kenya, zero-rates person-to-person M-PESA transactions for deals under KES1,000 for 90 days to lower cash handling at the height of Covid-19 economic fallout. M-PESA wallet and transaction limits also revised upwards. Amid the pandemic, the telco invests over KES5 billion towards pandemic relief.

2022: 5G rollout in Kenya. What's more, Safaricom PLC expands to Ethiopia, ending the state-owned monopoly in the country by securing a telecom license at $1 billion fee. Safaricom starts commercial operations in Africa's second most populous country in October 2022. 

2025: Safaricom subscribers cross 50 million as company celebrates a Silver Jubilee. M-PESA customers cross 34 million. As of August 2025, Safaricom Ethiopia reports over 10 million active subscribers.  

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