Safaricom Soars: 52% Profit Jump Driven by M-PESA and Data Dominance

Safaricom PLC continues its reign as East Africa’s telecommunications titan, posting spectacular financial results that underscore its profound dominance in Kenya’s digital economy and its ambitious expansion across the region.

For the half-year period ending September 2025, Safaricom announced a phenomenal 52% year-over-year increase in net profit, reaching a commanding KSh 42.8 billion. This surge was fueled by robust group service revenue growth of 11.1%, totaling KSh 199.9 billion.

Kenya’s Digital Economy Engines

The performance in the Kenyan market highlights a significant and historic transition in consumer behavior:

• M-PESA Dominance: The flagship mobile money platform remains the central engine of growth, with M-PESA revenue soaring by 14.1% to reach KSh 88.1 billion.
• The Data Crossover: In a milestone moment for Kenya’s digital adoption, mobile data revenue officially surpassed voice revenue for the first time. This clearly signals that data consumption—driven by social media, streaming, and business applications—is now the primary revenue stream for the company, reflecting the country’s deepening digitization.

High Stakes, High Growth in Ethiopia

The strategic investment in Ethiopia is beginning to bear serious fruit, despite the accompanying high capital expenditure and persistent regulatory hurdles. The operation recorded an outstanding 136% growth in revenue.

The success of the new market entry is evident in its user base, which has rapidly expanded to 11.1 million active subscribers. While the initial investment remains significant, the triple-digit revenue growth confirms Safaricom’s successful market entry and its potential to replicate its Kenyan business model across East Africa’s largest population base.

These half-year results position Safaricom not merely as a mobile operator, but as the central infrastructure provider for the region’s rapidly accelerating digital finance and data consumption future.