Safaricom Creates KES 1.25 Trillion in Value for Kenya as Digital and Financial Inclusion Expands

By Gedion Nzyoki -

Nairobi, Kenya | October 27, 2026 — Safaricom has created KES 1.25 trillion in value for Kenyan society in the year to March 2026, marking a 10% increase from the previous year as the telecommunications company expanded digital connectivity, financial inclusion and community investment.

Photo collage featuring Safaricom Group CEO Peter Ndegwa delivering his remarks during the launch of the company’s 15th Sustainable Business Photo: Safaricom Press Unit 

According to the company's 15th Sustainable Business Report, the value reflects Safaricom's contribution to the economy through its operations, digital and financial services, infrastructure investments, employment, livelihoods supported across its business ecosystem and community programmes.

The report also highlights the growing role of M-PESA in making financial services more accessible, with non-chargeable transactions accounting for 57.8% of all M-PESA transaction volumes during the financial year.

Speaking during the event, Safaricom Group Chief Executive Officer Peter Ndegwa said the company's contribution should be measured not only by its earnings but also by the benefits its services deliver to customers and society.

"Our impact is measured not only by what we earn, but by the value we create for society. More than half of M-PESA transaction volumes attracted no customer charge, helping millions of Kenyans transact affordably and participate in an increasingly digital economy," said Ndegwa.

M-PESA Generates KES 478.1 Billion in Social Value

M-PESA continued to play a central role in expanding access to financial services, enabling customers to transact, save, invest and access credit.

The platform generated an estimated KES 478.1 billion in social value in the financial year ended March 2026, highlighting its contribution to financial inclusion and economic participation.

Safaricom's wider business ecosystem also sustained more than 1.4 million jobs during the year. These include direct employment and livelihoods supported through M-PESA agents, dealers, suppliers and other business partners.

The figures underscore the company's influence beyond telecommunications, particularly through the network of businesses and individuals whose livelihoods depend on its services.

Safaricom Expands Affordable Internet Connectivity

Beyond financial services, Safaricom continued to invest in connectivity as it seeks to bring more Kenyans into the digital economy.

The company reported connecting 739,000 homes, including 8,200 households accessing an affordable fixed internet package priced at KES 800 per month.

The lower-cost offering is part of Safaricom's efforts to make internet access more accessible to households and expand participation in an increasingly technology-driven economy.

"As we grow into a technology company, we want every Kenyan to have the opportunity to participate in the digital economy. That means reliable connectivity, affordable access and the skills to use technology to improve their lives," said Ndegwa.

The company said reliable connectivity, affordability and digital skills remain essential to ensuring that more Kenyans can benefit from technological advancement.

4.4 Million Lives Reached Through Community Programmes

Safaricom's social investment also extended to communities, with 4.4 million lives impacted through programmes run by the company and the M-PESA Foundation.

The initiatives covered health, education, economic empowerment, water access and environmental conservation.

Through these programmes, Safaricom continues to support interventions aimed at improving livelihoods and addressing social challenges in communities across the country.

Safaricom Expands Solar-Powered Network Sites

On environmental sustainability, Safaricom reported progress in reducing the environmental footprint of its telecommunications infrastructure.

More than 2,000 network sites were powered by solar energy in FY26, up from 1,432 in FY25, as the company continued efforts to reduce the environmental impact of the network infrastructure that keeps Kenyans connected.

Its tree-growing programme also reached three million trees, forming part of its wider environmental conservation initiatives.

The company said environmental sustainability remains an important part of its efforts to create long-term value while expanding its digital infrastructure.

Persons With Disabilities Account for 4% of Workforce

Safaricom also highlighted its efforts to promote inclusion in the workplace, reporting that persons with disabilities accounted for 4% of its workforce during the reporting period.

The figure remains below the company's target of 5%, indicating that further progress is needed to achieve its stated workforce inclusion goal.

The disclosure forms part of the company's broader sustainability reporting on how its operations affect employees, communities and other stakeholders.

Safaricom Adopts New Sustainability Reporting Framework

The 15th Sustainable Business Report marks the first time Safaricom has adopted a double materiality approach to its sustainability disclosures, moving away from the KPMG True Value methodology used in previous reports.

The new approach assesses both how a company's activities affect people and the environment and how sustainability-related issues could influence its financial position, business performance and long-term resilience.

Under the framework, Safaricom considers issues such as climate change, fraud and cybersecurity, which can affect both its stakeholders and the sustainability of its business.

The company is also preparing for mandatory sustainability reporting requirements in Kenya and aims to fully comply with the applicable International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) sustainability disclosure requirements by FY28.

The relevant standards include IFRS S1, which covers sustainability-related risks and opportunities that could affect a company's financial prospects, and IFRS S2, which focuses on climate-related disclosures.

Safaricom Pledges to Create Lasting Value

Ndegwa said the company's sustainability commitments would remain focused on ensuring that its growth and technological innovation deliver meaningful benefits to customers, communities, investors and the environment.

"Our commitment is to create lasting value for our customers, communities, investors and the planet. As technology becomes more central to people's lives, we have a responsibility to ensure that growth and innovation create opportunity, strengthen trust and leave society better off," said Ndegwa.

Safaricom identified five key material sustainability issues in its report: protecting the planet, leading responsibly, connecting people and communities, building trust in the digital ecosystem, and empowering people.

The company said its approach to measuring sustainability impact would help it assess its wider contribution to society while preparing for evolving reporting requirements and addressing risks that could affect its long-term business resilience.