On October 23, 2000, Safaricom officially launched with a bold vision to connect Kenyans and opened opportunities for all. By the end of the first year, Safaricom had reached 300,000 subscribers, a big achievement by then.
Today, mobile phones are everywhere. Mobile phone subscriptions outnumber the population, and gone are the days when sending money upcountry involved a journey to the bus terminus, a hunt for a relative or well-meaning driver, and an envelope and a prayer that the money would get to its destination.
The reduction of the cost of connection and the expanded access to connectivity set the stage for a revolution that would reshape the country’s economic and social outlook.
Seven years later, a simple yet groundbreaking idea of sending money through mobile phones gave birth to M-Pesa, the world’s first mobile money platform. For the past 18 years, M-Pesa has connected communities, powered small businesses and enabled financial inclusion at an unprecedented scale.
Safaricom’s impact extends far beyond connectivity. Our 2025 Sustainability report shows that our total contribution to Kenya’s economy has reached Sh1.1 trillion, with Sh309 billion directly contributing to GDP through operations, employment, taxation and infrastructure investment.
These numbers represent lives transformed. A young barber in Nyalenda, Kisumu county, now serves his clients and receives payments through M-Pesa. A student in Nakuru attends online classes via Safaricom Fibre. A farmer in Kilifi accesses markets and agricultural products through our DigiFarm platform. What began as infrastructure for communication has evolved into an engine for economic empowerment.
This evolution reflects our broader mission to be a catalyst for national development. Through digitalisation, financial inclusion and innovation, Safaricom continues to open new pathways for entrepreneurship and prosperity.
At the heart of our story lies a deep commitment to community transformation. Through the Safaricom and M-Pesa foundations, we have invested billions of shillings in health, education, environmental conservation and various community projects. From building classrooms in rural areas to supporting maternal health programmes, providing clean water and equipping youth with digital skills, these initiatives embody our belief in creating shared value
Safaricom’s purpose-driven approach, integrating community benefit into business strategy, has made it a benchmark for corporate citizenship, not just in Kenya but across the region.
When we launched Lipa Mdogo Mdogo, we turned smartphone ownership from a luxury into an accessible necessity. Today, over 27 million Kenyans, slightly half the population, own smartphones, unlocking opportunities in e-learning, e-commerce, telemedicine and Agri-technology.
We are also embracing Artificial Intelligence to deliver more personalised and inclusive customer experiences, shaping a future where technology truly works for everyone.
Our expansion into Ethiopia marked a bold new chapter, one that extends beyond scale to shared growth, regional collaboration and deeper impact.
Even as we celebrate this Silver Jubilee, one of the most persistent questions has been: Where do you see Safaricom in the next 25 years?
It is tempting to talk about the future and the impact technology is going to continue to have on us, but that would be stating the obvious. Much of the technology we have today was the stuff of science fiction 25 years ago. We cannot imagine well or accurately enough the advances that will have been made by the time Safaricom turns 50.
What we can predict is that Safaricom will continue to provide an always-on, secure and reliable network. We aim to be the digital partner of choice for individuals, enterprises and public services. We will continue to maintain focus on our operation in Ethiopia, bringing to Ethiopians the benefits of technology and financial inclusion.
Looking ahead, our focus is to leverage technology to fuel growth, ensure progress, and empower people across Africa.
As we mark 25 years, we look back on a journey shaped by innovation, resilience and a deep sense of purpose. This milestone belongs not only to Safaricom but to every Kenyan who has shared in our story.
The writer is the Group CEO, Safaricom PLC.
