Airtel Kenya has crossed the 24 million subscriber mark through its network campaign and expansion, eating into the market share of market leader, Safaricom.
This achievement, highlighted in the latest Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) sector statistics report, reflects growing public trust in Airtel’s commitment to serve Kenyans, from urban centres to the most remote parts of the country. Safaricom’s grip is gradually loosening, as Airtel closes the gap in both subscriber numbers and usage metrics.
Speaking during the launch of the ‘Na Bado Tunagrow’ network coverage campaign, Airtel Kenya Managing Director Ashish Malhotra spoke on the company’s quest to prioritise innovation to meet the changing needs of customers.
“We are deeply humbled by the support of over 24 million customers who continue to believe in us,” Malhotra said. “This is not the destination, it is part of a longer journey. We are committed to Kenya, and whilst we have made huge investments, our mission of enriching lives and driving progress is still not done.”
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Over the years, Airtel has steadily and heavily invested in the country to better serve Kenyans. The investments span network, customer care touch points and distribution infrastructure. Through Airtel Money, the company has also endeavoured to bridge the financial inclusion gap in the country with its financial services offerings.
After a back-to-back drop in market share, Safaricom’s subscriber base fell to 48.24 million in the first three months of 2025, representing 63.3% of the market — its lowest in recent years- and a continued slide from 65.3% in December 2024 and 65.7% in September 2024.
In contrast, Airtel Kenya added nearly 3 million new subscribers in the same period, boosting its market share to a record-high 32.2% with a total of 24.53 million subscriptions. Telkom Kenya, Equitel (Finserve), and Jamii Telecommunications maintained marginal shares of 1.5%, 2.0%, and 0.9% respectively.
Courtesy of the rapid Airtel network expansion in the North Eastern region of the country last year, Kenyans in the underserved areas of Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa can now access connectivity and digital opportunities.
“With the recent upgrade of our Airtel Money platform, which brings speedy, reliable, and innovative services, we are seeing more Kenyans trusting us with their financial needs and we continue to improve as we promote financial inclusion,” said Malhotra.
The ‘Na Bado Tunagrow’ campaign is a reflection of Airtel’s ongoing journey driven by the trust of its customers and the belief that every Kenyan deserves access to reliable and modern digital services.
“This is a thank you to every Kenyan who has supported our journey. We are not done. We will continue to grow, improve, and serve; Na bado tunagrow,” Malhotra said.
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