Safaricom PLC has unveiled a strategic pricing initiative offering 25% discounts on new business fibre connections for enterprises located within fibre-ready infrastructure, targeting enhanced digital adoption across Kenya’s small and medium enterprise (SME) sector over the next two months.
The telecommunications giant announced the promotion during the Nairobi edition of its Grow with Safaricom Business forum, a comprehensive entrepreneurship development platform designed to address critical growth barriers facing Kenya’s business ecosystem through enhanced connectivity, financial inclusion, and market access solutions.
The initiative directly addresses connectivity challenges that have historically constrained SME growth, particularly as businesses increasingly require robust internet infrastructure to compete effectively in Kenya’s evolving digital economy. The discount applies exclusively to enterprises operating within buildings equipped with existing fibre infrastructure, streamlining deployment timelines and reducing installation complexities.
“Our commitment at Safaricom Business is to power business growth through products and solutions that matter to entrepreneurs. This offer on fibre to the business will ensure MSMEs have access to the fastest, most reliable internet that matches their ambitions,” said Frankline Okata, Acting Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Safaricom PLC.
The announcement coincided with the forum’s thematic focus on ‘Fuelling Financial Growth Through Innovation’, bringing together Nairobi’s diverse SME community to address systemic challenges constraining business sustainability and expansion. The gathering highlighted the intersection between connectivity infrastructure and business performance, particularly in Kenya’s increasingly digital-first commercial environment.
Supporting the initiative’s strategic rationale, Kenya National Bureau of Statistics data reveals that over 70% of small businesses fail within their initial three-year operational period, primarily due to cash flow constraints and limited market access capabilities. These statistics underscore the critical need for comprehensive support mechanisms that address both technological and financial barriers to business success.
Beyond connectivity solutions, Safaricom Business has simultaneously expanded its financial services portfolio, introducing credit solutions that leverage real-time transaction analytics and business performance metrics to provide tailored financing options for entrepreneurs.
“These challenges present an opportunity for collaboration and growth. We have introduced business credit solutions that leverage transaction history and real-time business performance to offer practical, accessible, and flexible credit solutions tailored to the needs of entrepreneurs,” Okata explained.
The Grow with Safaricom Business forum series has established significant reach across Kenya’s entrepreneurship landscape, impacting thousands of business owners through both physical and virtual engagement platforms. The initiative reflects Safaricom’s broader strategy to position telecommunications infrastructure as a catalyst for economic development, particularly within the SME sector that forms the backbone of Kenya’s economy.
The two-month promotional window provides qualified businesses with a strategic opportunity to upgrade their connectivity infrastructure at reduced cost, potentially improving operational efficiency and market competitiveness during a period when digital transformation has become essential for business sustainability.
This connectivity initiative aligns with Kenya’s broader digital economy objectives and Safaricom’s positioning as a comprehensive business solutions provider, extending beyond traditional telecommunications services to encompass financial technology, cloud solutions, and enterprise support systems.