Celebrating 20 yearsWELCOME TO OUR INTERACTIVE PHOTO ALBUM

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2000

And So The Safaricom Journey Begins

Safaricom Is Here!

On October 23rd 2000, Safaricom made an official launch into the Kenyan market. It was all systems go with a new brand, a new slogan ‘The Better Option’ and a new connection fee – just Kshs. 2,500 for your very own Safaricom line.

Did you know?

Safaricom launched the Kipokezi service in May 2000 that enabled its subscribers to send and receive email and online chat through standard mobile phones.

Safaricom Subscribers Hit 100,000

As Kenyans began to use mobile phones more widely, Safaricom hit 100,000 subscribers within its first year.

Pop quiz

What was the mission that Safaricom launched with?

CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWER

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2001

Steady Growth To 300,000

We Connect 300,000 Kenyans

This year was all about taking Safaricom’s network coverage countrywide. Over the course of the year, all of Kenya’s major towns came ‘on-net’ and subscriber numbers reached the 300,000 mark.

Did you know?

Safaricom became the first operator to introduce per-second billing in the market.

The First of Many

The 0722 prefix was launched, becoming the first of many as we continued to grow. It was also the first Safaricom Corporate Bond.

Beetles For The Win

The year ended on a high note with a few subscribers walking away with a brand-new Volkswagen Beetle in Safaricom's first national consumer promotion.

Pop quiz

How many subscribers won a brand-new Volkswagen Beetle in the consumer promotion during this year?

CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWER

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2002

The Better
Option

The Better Option

With “The Better Option” becoming a household statement, Safaricom grew with incredible speed, passing 700,000 new subscribers.

Did you know?

There are currently nearly 30 prefixes used on Safaricom lines.

Safaricom Profits Up By 132%

A new prefix was added, the entire Mombasa – Nairobi Road was covered by the Safaricom network, and profits grew by 132%

The Better Option

A single statement dominated the consciousness, but what was truly peculiar about this year was the speed at which Safaricom continued to grow.

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2003

1 Million Strong on Kenya’s Strongest Network

Scratch Card
Introduced

The Ksh. 100 scratch card was introduced, denoting the pioneering of low denomination airtime.

1 Million Connected

Safaricom hit 1 million subscribers. We continued to grow strong and live by our mission to Transform Lives.

Simu ya Jamii

Simu ya Jamii was launched marking Safaricom's drive into the mass market and expanding our reach and goal to Transform Lives to as many Kenyans as possible.

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2004

Mobile Internet Connected Kenyans Everywhere to The Rest of The World

Mobile Internet
Launched

Mobile internet (Edge) was launched, giving access to the web for Kenyans everywhere

First To Hit 5 Billion Mark

Safaricom profits hit the then previously unheard of Ksh. 5 billion mark, becoming the first company to do so in the market.

Company of The Year

Safaricom won several awards at the Company of the Year Awards (COYA) including Best Company and Best CEO.

Pop quiz

How many awards did Safaricom win at COYA in this year?

CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWER

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2005

More Features Introduced

Sambaza and Flashback Functions Make Debut

Sambaza and the immensely popular Flashback (call me back) service were made available.

Did you know?

In this year, Safaricom was the winner of Total Eco Challenge Awards - Corporate for planting the most trees (an estimated 1M trees).

3 Million Subscribers Reached

Safaricom quickly became the people’s choice as we powered to the 3 million subscriber mark, driven by people friendly products and services.

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2006

New Year, New Home

Safaricom Headquarters Opened

The year began with a move to Safaricom’s new custom designed, corporate headquarters on Waiyaki Way, Nairobi.

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2007

M-PESA Changes How Kenya Interacts with Money

M-PESA Is Launched

M-PESA, the world’s first Mobile Money service was launched, which took off with Kenyans like wildfire.

BlackBerry Services Launched

Kenya joined the rest of the world on Blackberry as Safaricom launched Blackberry services in partnership with Alcatel-Lucent and Research In Motion.

3G Brought To Kenya By Safaricom

Safaricom rallied towards bringing innovation and technology infrastructure to Kenya as we purchased Kenya’s first ever 3G license, launching a slew of investments in data infrastructure.

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2008

Magical 10 Million

10 Millionth Subscriber

The magic 10 million subscriber joined Kenya’s strongest network early on in the year

3G Services Launched

3G services were launched and made available to all Safaricom customers, bringing Safaricom customers across the country ever closer to the world.

750,000 Individual Subscribers Invest In Our IPO

Safaricom IPO, East and Central Africa’s largest, which attracted Kshs. 199 billion in investment and spread the ownership of Safaricom to over 750,000 individual subscribers.

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2009

Most Affordable Scratch cards In The Market

5 and 10bob Scratchcards Launched

Safaricom continued with its underlying mission to make communication more affordable to all Kenyans by launching the Kshs 5 and Kshs. 10 scratchcards, the lowest in the market.

Wimax Launched

Safaricom also invested in other data platforms like Wimax, presenting a robust, peerless infrastructure that has heralded a data revolution.

Broadband Brought To Kenya

We continued our commitment to world class technology demonstrated by our investment in the country’s pioneer undersea cable venture TEAMS (The East African Marine Systems) and in Seacom as a major buyer of capacity. It brought real broadband to as many homes, offices and institutions as possible.

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2010

Safaricom Cheers On Our National Team

Safaricom Sponsors Rugby Sevens

Safaricom signs a 3-year deal with Kenya Rugby Union to become the title sponsors of Safaricom Sevens.

Profits Go Past 20 Billion Mark

Safaricom profit hits the Kshs 20.9 billion mark, growing in success day by day.

Sakata Ball Launched

Safaricom launches Sakata Ball, a Ksh. 55 million national football tournament in a bid to deepen our connection with our growing youth segment.

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2013

E-Commerce Businesses Flourish with Lipa Na M-PESA

Online businesses partner with
M-PESA

Lipa Na M-PESA is launched, allowing cashless payments and laying foundation for
e-commerce in the country.

Internet users grow by 300%

Number of internet users grow by 300%, opening up new opportunities for data-based tools and e-commerce.

Mau Eburu Fencing Project Kicks Off

The 50-kilometer Mau Eburu fencing project kicks off with M-PESA Foundation committing KES 155 million towards the project.

Safaricom Athletics Series Launched

Safaricom Athletics Series is launched with mixed portfolio of events which include 8 Athletics Kenya sponsored competitive races and 6 community-based events.

100 Million Donated To Starehe Girls

The M-PESA Foundation invests Kshs.100 million for the construction of equipment for the Starehe Girls Centre.

We Are One Initiative Raises Kshs.100 Million

Safaricom contributes Kshs. 30 million out of the Kshs. 100 million raised under the We Are One initiative for Westgate victims.

Africa Investor Index Series Company of the Year Award

Safaricom awarded the Africa Investor (Ai) Index Series Awards Company of the year award due to the value of shares as measured by the average daily value traded in US dollars.

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2014

We Become Kenya’s First 4G Network

First 4G Network in Kenya

Safaricom becomes the first 4G network providing broadband internet connectivity on mobile devices.

Safaricom Brings Jazz Home

Safaricom brings together jazz artists from around the world with the International Jazz Festival Launch.

Website Optimized for Visually Impaired Persons

Safaricom launches their revamped corporate website that would be accessible to the visually impaired.

Lock Savings Account Launched

Safaricom and CBA introduce a fixed deposit feature on M-Shwari dubbed “Lock Savings Account.

Launch of Biashara Smart

Safaricom Business and KCB enable SMEs to scale up their growth while nurturing enterprise health through various methods.

Shop for Top Spenders Launched

Safaricom opens the first retail shop that will serve its top spenders on both corporate and individual mobile accounts.

Book on Impact of Mobile Money Launched

The first book that documents the profound impact that Safaricom’s mobile money transfer services M-PESA has had on the lives of users in Kenya is launched.

Pop quiz

What bank did Safaricom partner up with to launch the Lock Savings Account for M-Shwari during this year?

CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWER

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2015

M-PESA Foundation Gives Students Renewed Hope

M-PESA Comes Home

M-PESA shifts it’s platform to Kenya in April 2015, increasing both speed of transaction and stability.

M-PESA Foundation Empowers Disadvantaged Students

M-PESA Foundation Academy launched in support of talented but disadvantaged students.

KCB M-PESA is launched

KCB M-PESA is launched, allowing users to save, get loans and more right from their phones.

M-PESA’s ‘hakikisha’ Feature Launched

M-PESA’s ‘hakikisha’ feature is launched, enabling users to confirm recipients of money transfers.

M-TIBA Is Launched

Safaricom partners with PharmAccess Foundation and CarePay to launch M-TIBA to deliver a mobile ‘health wallet’ directly to recipients, allowing for effective tracking and monitoring of use of funds.

Webcare Is Launched

Webcare is launched allowing customers to manage their account online.

M-PESA Enables Capabilities in Rwanda

M-PESA customers to send and receive money from Rwanda, allowing users to make transactions away from home and opening up e-commerce opportunities in Eastern Africa.

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2016

Safaricom Connects 140,000 Homes to The Internet

Safaricom Home Launches In 140,000 Homes

As we drove digitisation for our consumers and enterprise customers, we have laid more than 9,000 kilometers of fibre and connected more than 140,000 homes in 2016

Did you know?

Safaricom announced the addition of Bill Manager, enhancing bill payment abilities on M-Pesa by enabling customers to manage and pay bills via M-PESA all in a single transaction.

M-PESA API Is Launched

M-PESA API is launched, enabling thousands of businesses to integrate their business systems with M-PESA.

Blaze Comes To Life

Safaricom launches BLAZE, a platform that seeks to empower youth using the power of mobile.

MySafaricom App launched

MySafaricom App launched, centralizing Safaricom and MPESA functions for millions of users.

We Take Home Title of Top African Mobile Operator

Safaricom named the ‘African Mobile Operator of the Year’ in the annual CommsMEA Awards for 2016.

Empowering Our Artists

Safaricom pays artists Kshs. 152 million in Skiza tunes royalties

Data Management Made Simple

Safaricom Guarantee, My Data Manager and My Subscriptions launched

Pop quiz

In partnership with Craft Silicon, what taxi hailing app did Safaricom launch in this year?

CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWER

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2017

Safaricom 4G Network Becomes 1 Million Strong

4G+ Is Launched

4G+ launched allowing customers to browse at double the 4G speeds

Chapa Dimba Launched

Chapa Dimba Na Safaricom is launched

Masoko Journey Begins

Safaricom embarks on e-commerce journey with Masoko

1 Million 4G Users

Kenya hits one million 4G customers milestone

Introduction of Eco-Friendly Bags

Launch of eco-friendly carry bags to replace the plastic bags that the company uses in its retail shops.

Customer Costs Cut By 50%

Safaricom cuts lipa na M-PESA tariffs by half, announces M-PESA app

Flex Brings Flexibility

Safaricom introduces dynamic ‘flex’ product

Farming Goes Futuristic

Connected Farmer, a mobile and web-based service that will help agricultural processing businesses in production planning by opening a communication line with farmers is launched

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2018

We Hit The KES.1 Trillion Mark at the NSE

We Hit Kshs. 1 Trillion Milestone

Safaricom pulls off a historic feat, becoming Kenya’s first listed company to hit the Sh1 trillion mark in market capitalization at Nairobi Securities Exchange.

Did you know?

In this year, Safaricom, PayPal and TransferTo announce collaboration on new service that allows movement of funds between M-PESA and PayPal accounts, boosting international eCommerce.

Twaweza Live Experience Launched

Safaricom Twaweza Live’ experience launched to positively impact customers and transform lives in the communities around the country.

Roadmap To Success

Safaricom Foundation launches three-year strategic roadmap, which commits to focus on health, education and economic empowerment.

President Opens M-PESA Foundation

M-PESA Foundation Academy officially opened by the President.

Customer Costs Cut By 50%

M-PESA Global launched allowing anyone in the world to send money to any M-PESA customer in Kenya in a first of its kind money transfer capability.

Platinum Proposition Launched

Platinum proposition launched to millions across Kenya, creating more ways for customers to customize their data plans.

Say Hello To Zuri

Safaricom introduces Zuri, an artificial intelligence (AI) Chatbot assistant on two platforms including Telegram.

Pop quiz

What other platforms was Zuri launched on during this year?

CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWER

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2019

No Human Is Limited

We Launch World’s First Overdraft Mobile Facility

Safaricom launches the world’s first mobile overdraft facility in Kenya

Did you know?

Online shopping became more accessible for hundreds of thousands of Kenyans as Safaricom partnered up with AliExpress to enable M-PESA payments for online shoppers.

Ndoto Zetu Launched

Launch of Ndoto Zetu, an initiative that aims at positively transforming lives of communities across Kenya.

Simple, Transparent and Honest

We unveil our renewed commitment to our customers to be Simple, Transparent and Honest.

Crossing The 30 Million Milestone

Safaricom celebrates 30 million customers across the country. This incredible feat was testament to our journey in Transforming Lives for Kenyans everywhere.

Reverse Call Introduced

Reverse call feature announced, allowing callers to transfer call costs to the responder and helping Kenyans stay connected no matter their balance.

We become 4th Member of Unstereotype Alliance

Safaricom inducted as the 4th member of the highest governing body of the Unstereotype Alliance chaired by Phumzile Mlambo – Ngcuka, the UN Women Executive Director.

Voice and Video Calls Activated on 4G

Safaricom launches voice and video calls over its 4G network, popularly known as Voice over LTE (VoLTE) and Video over LTE (ViLTE).

M-PESA Rebranded In Support of Eliud Kipchoge

Safaricom rebrands M-PESA, offers free Youtube bundle to support Eliud Kipchoge’s 1;59 challenge.

Peter Ndegwa Announced as CEO

Board announces Peter Ndegwa as new CEO as of April 2020, beginning a new chapter in our journey as Safaricom.

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2020

Going Strong At 20 Years

Safaricom and Vodacom Team Up For M-PESA

Safaricom and Vodacom gain full control of the M-PESA brand from Vodafone through a joint venture to accelerate M-PESA’s growth in Africa.

Did you know?

Safaricom launched a Lipa Na M-PESA for Business app in this year to empower business owners with real-time tracking of their business performance.

Bonga For Good Launched

The Bonga For Good Initiative launched in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. More than 1 billion Bonga points redeemed by customers to pay for essential goods and services.

6.5 Billion Goes Towards Pandemic Response

Waiver of M-PESA fees under KES 1000, the 719 Covid-19 call center, numerous donations to the community, government and health workers included in our pandemic response of 6.5 Billion.

Lipa Na M-PESA for Business App Launched

Lipa Na M-PESA for Business app launched to empower business owners with real-time tracking of their business performance.

4G phone for Kshs 20 a day introduced.

Safaricom boosts internet penetration with access to affordable 4G smartphones #LipaMdogoMdogo

Michael Joseph Appointed as Chairman

After several years of being an integral part of the Safaricom journey, Michael Joseph is appointed Chairman after Nicholas Nganga retires.

E-Newspapers Brings News To Phones

Safaricom introduces digital newspapers, bringing news to Kenyans everywhere including areas of remote access and commuters.

Zuri Joins WhatsApp

Safaricom introduces Zuri, its artificial intelligence (AI) Chatbot assistant to WhatsApp. Zuri used innovation and technology to create a new way to speak to our customers.

Pop quiz

What was one of the two prefixes launched in this year?

CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWER

Celebrating 20 yearsWELCOME TO OUR INTERACTIVE PHOTO ALBUM

2000

And So The Safaricom Journey Begins

Safaricom Is Here!

Did you know?

Safaricom Subscribers Hit 100,000

Pop quiz

2001

Steady Growth To 300,000

We Connect 300,000 Kenyans

Did you know?

The First of Many

Beetles For The Win

Pop quiz

2002

The Better Option

The Better Option

Did you know?

Safaricom Profits Up By 132%

The Better Option

2003

1 Million Strong on Kenya’s Strongest Network

Scratch Card Introduced

1 Million Connected

Simu ya Jamii

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2004

Mobile Internet Connected Kenyans Everywhere to The Rest of The World

Mobile Internet Launched

First To Hit 5 Billion Mark

Company of The Year

Pop quiz

2005

More Features Introduced

Sambaza and Flashback Functions Make Debut

Did you know?

3 Million Subscribers Reached

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2006

New Year, New Home

Safaricom Headquarters Opened

2007

M-PESA Changes How Kenya Interacts with Money

M-PESA Is Launched

BlackBerry Services Launched

3G Brought To Kenya By Safaricom

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2008

Magical 10 Million

10 Millionth Subscriber

3G Services Launched

750,000 Individual Subscribers Invest In Our IPO

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2009

Most Affordable Scratch cards In The Market

5 and 10bob Scratchcards Launched

Wimax Launched

Broadband Brought To Kenya

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2010

Safaricom Cheers On Our National Team

Safaricom Sponsors Rugby Sevens

Profits Go Past 20 Billion Mark

Sakata Ball Launched

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2013

E-Commerce Businesses Flourish with Lipa Na M-PESA

Online businesses partner with M-PESA

Internet users grow by 300%

Mau Eburu Fencing Project Kicks Off

Safaricom Athletics Series Launched

100 Million Donated To Starehe Girls

We Are One Initiative Raises Kshs.100 Million

Africa Investor Index Series Company of the Year Award

2014

We Become Kenya’s First 4G Network

First 4G Network in Kenya

Safaricom Brings Jazz Home

Website Optimized for Visually Impaired Persons

Lock Savings Account Launched

The Better
Option

Scratch Card
Introduced

Mobile Internet
Launched

Online businesses partner with
M-PESA

Launch of Biashara Smart