To solidify its position as the market leader in Kenya’s fixed broadband market and attract more small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) clients, Safaricom has announced a 25 per cent price reduction on new business fibre connections for the next two months.
The action highlights growing competition in the nation’s internet market as satellite rival Starlink’s local user base declines.
New Safaricom business fibre connections prices
The offer, which targets businesses in fibre-ready buildings, was unveiled on Monday at the Grow with Safaricom Business Forum in Nairobi.
The top-tier 100 Mbps package now costs KES 4,724 ($36.62) per month instead of KES 6,299, and the entry-level 15 Mbps plan used to cost KES 2,249 ($17.44) per month.
To expand its reach among SMEs, Safaricom, which has a 36.5 per cent market share and serves over 678,000 fixed-internet users, combines the offer with new business credit products.
Rivals like Jamii Telecom and Liquid Intelligent Technologies also pursue the same market.
Safaricom takes advantage of Sarlink’s decline
The timing is calculated. Due to network congestion, Starlink’s Kenyan subscriber base dropped from about 19,000 in March 2025 to 17,000.
Even though the SpaceX-owned service has since expanded its capacity by adding ground stations close to Nairobi, its expensive Gen 3 kit equipment—which costs KES 50,000 ($387.60)—remains a deterrent, particularly in rural and peri-urban markets where consumers are price-conscious. Monthly plans range from KES 1,300 ($10.08) for 50 GB of capped usage to KES 6,500 ($50.39) for unlimited data.
In response, Safaricom is making 5G home routers much more affordable for households and small businesses by offering them for KES 3,000 ($23.26) with monthly plans beginning at the same price.
Aggressive competition in Kenya’s broadband landscape
The two providers have a complicated relationship. Shortly after Airtel Africa announced a similar deal in May, Safaricom alluded to a potential satellite internet partnership with Starlink.
However, no agreement has been reached, and Safaricom has previously asked authorities to review satellite internet regulations—a move that some have perceived as an effort to impede Starlink’s expansion.
Given the changing broadband landscape in Kenya, Safaricom’s most recent pricing strategy is an aggressive attempt to attract new customers while acting as a defensive measure to keep hold of its current clientele.