Safaricom expands its 5G network to all of Kenya’s 47 counties

Safaricom has successfully expanded its fifth-generation (5G) network coverage to all of Kenya's 47 counties. With the launch of 311 new sites within the past four months, the total number of Safaricom's 5G sites has soared to 1,114, up from 803 as of March this year.

Safaricom announced Monday that its 5G network now covers 14 per cent of the national population, with sites situated in 102 towns. This expansion has increased the number of 5G smartphones in use to 780,000, including 11,000 enterprise customers.

“Safaricom remains committed to leading Kenya’s digital transformation through the provision of a worry-free, always-on ubiquitous network enabling access to information, critical services, and communication, therefore bridging the digital divide,” said Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa.

“We believe that the benefits of 5G will be a key catalyst in leapfrogging other innovations, industries, and Kenya’s digital economy.”

The rapid growth positions Safaricom ahead of its main competitor, Airtel, in the rollout of 5G sites. As of March, Safaricom had activated 803 sites, surpassing Airtel’s 690. This is a stark contrast to last year when Airtel led with 370 5G sites compared to Safaricom’s 205. Safaricom's expansion has seen it set up 909 more sites within the time frame.

Airtel has also been expanding, increasing its 5G coverage from 16 counties last year to 39 as of last month. Safaricom has set an ambitious target to further expand the number of its 5G sites to over 1,700 by March 2025, aiming to maintain its lead in this fast-growing market.

Data from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) shows that during the 12 months leading up to March 2024, mobile data subscribers on the 5G network grew by 74 per cent, reaching 653,716, up from 373,537 in March 2023. Since Safaricom first launched the network in October 2022.

While 5G technology offers significantly faster speeds than the currently prevalent 4G, it remains out of reach for many users due to the requirement for high-end smart gadgets and the high cost of data bundles.

Despite these challenges, the adoption of 5G continues to rise, driven by the demand for better connectivity and the promise of enhanced digital experiences.