When Kenyans think of Safaricom, their minds often go straight to M-PESA, mobile data, or the iconic "Safaricom is for you" campaigns.
But behind the consumer-facing services lies Safaricom Business, its fast-growing enterprise arm that is quietly changing how businesses and institutions operate in Kenya and beyond.
In an economy that is increasingly driven by connectivity, digitisation, and smart solutions, Safaricom Business has positioned itself as a telecoms provider and a partner in innovation, resilience, and growth.
What is Safaricom Business?
Safaricom Business is Safaricom’s dedicated enterprise solutions division tasked with designing and delivering products and services for organisations ranging from SMEs and startups to multinationals and public sector institutions.
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Its mission is straightforward but ambitious: to enable businesses to thrive in a connected world.
This essentially means moving beyond voice and internet into full-scale Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and digital transformation solutions.
Safaricom Business has in recent years evolved from a connectivity provider to a full-stack business technology partner, offering solutions in areas such as cloud computing, Internet of Things (IoT), cybersecurity, digital payments, and managed services.
Key Offerings of Safaricom Business
Safaricom Business operates across several solution categories which have been designed to meet the diverse needs of organisations across the spectrum.
1. Connectivity Solutions
• Fixed Internet & Fibre: High-speed, reliable internet for offices, schools, and institutions, including last-mile connectivity.
• Mobile Data Packages: Custom postpaid and prepaid data bundles for teams on the go.
• Wide Area Networks (WAN): Secure connections linking multiple branches or locations.
Reliable connectivity remains the foundation of all digital services, and Safaricom leverages its nationwide 4G network and its expanding 5G footprint to deliver uptime and speed.
2. Cloud & Hosting Services
• Cloud Computing: Scalable storage and computing power, hosted locally or internationally.
• Website & Email Hosting: Business-class hosting packages.
• Data Centre Services: Secure colocation and disaster recovery.
In a business landscape where agility is essential, cloud solutions enable organisations to reduce costs of setting up IT infrastructure while enhancing their scalability and resilience.
3. Internet of Things (IoT)
• Fleet and Asset Management: GPS tracking, fuel monitoring, and predictive maintenance for vehicles and equipment.
• Smart Utilities: Remote monitoring of electricity, water, and energy usage.
• Agritech Solutions: IoT-powered tools for precision farming.
Adoption of IoT is still in its infancy stages in Kenya, but Safaricom Business is laying the foundation for a connected economy, offering real-time data to optimise operations.
4. Cybersecurity
• Managed Security Services: Firewalls, intrusion detection, and threat monitoring.
• Endpoint Protection: Guarding devices against malware and phishing.
• Security Audits & Compliance: Helping organisations meet regulatory and industry security standards.
With rising cases of cyber fraud and ransomware attacks, Safaricom Business is addressing one of the most urgent risks facing enterprises.
5. Financial & Payment Solutions
• M-PESA for Business: Integrating mobile money payments into business systems.
• Bulk Payments & Payroll: Automating disbursements for staff, suppliers, and customers.
• E-commerce Integration: APIs and plugins for online checkout through M-PESA.
Given M-PESA’s deep penetration in the country, these services are allowing businesses to reach more customers and streamline transactions.
6. ICT Professional Services
• IT Consulting: From digital transformation roadmaps to technology audits.
• Systems Integration: Linking various platforms and tools into seamless workflows.
• Training & Capacity Building: Equipping teams to make the most of digital tools.
Safaricom Business does not just sell products, it empowers organisations across the country to implement and maximise them.
Benefits to Consumers
Safaricom Business targets organisations and entrepreneurs across Kenya, but the ripple effects of these services reach millions of everyday Kenyan consumers indirectly as follows:
1. Better Service Delivery – When hospitals, schools, and government agencies adopt Safaricom Business solutions, everyday citizens benefit through faster, more efficient services.
2. Business Growth & Job Creation – SMEs with reliable internet, cloud storage, and payment integrations can scale faster and hire more people.
3. Security & Reliability – Enhanced cybersecurity safeguards both business owners and customers from fraud and data breaches.
4. Financial Inclusion – Payment integration through M-PESA for Business opens doors for unbanked customers to transact with formal enterprises.
Benefits to Safaricom
For Safaricom PLC, the growth of Safaricom Business is strategic on multiple fronts:
1. Revenue Diversification – With traditional voice revenues plateauing, enterprise solutions create new, high-margin income streams.
2. Market Leadership – Providing end-to-end business solutions cements Safaricom’s reputation not just as a telco, but as Kenya’s leading technology company.
3. Innovation Pipeline – Business solutions often test and refine technologies before they scale to the mass consumer market.
4. Economic Influence – By enabling businesses across sectors, Safaricom Business strengthens the very economy that sustains its consumer base.
Safaricom Business in Action
• Education Sector: Partnering with institutions to deliver e-learning platforms, connect campuses, and digitise administration.
• Agriculture: Providing IoT tools to monitor soil health, track weather, and optimise irrigation.
• Transport & Logistics: Offering fleet management systems that cut costs and improve delivery times.
• Healthcare: Supporting telemedicine, digital patient records, and secure communications between providers.
These applications which are specific to sectors are significant to the growth strategy of Safaricom Business, which is tailoring technology to solve real, local problems.
Driving Kenya’s Digital Economy
Kenya’s Vision 2030 blueprint emphasises ICT as a critical enabler of economic development.
The role of Safaricom Business in this vision is clear-cut: to bridge the gap between technology and productivity.
Safaricom Business is laying the infrastructure for a more connected, inclusive, and competitive Kenya, from enabling SMEs to compete globally to helping government digitise services.
Challenges & Opportunities
Like any growing business unit, Safaricom Business faces numerous challenges:
• Competition from global tech giants and local ISPs.
• Cost of infrastructure in expanding to underserved areas.
• Cybersecurity threats that evolve rapidly.
• Digital skills gap among clients and their teams.
However, these hurdles are also opportunities, with each pain point in the market representing a space where Safaricom Business can innovate, partner, or educate
Next Frontier
The next frontier for Safaricom Business will most likely be:
• 5G commercialisation – Unlocking high-bandwidth applications for industries.
• AI & Data Analytics – Helping organisations make better decisions using data.
• Regional Expansion – Leveraging Safaricom’s footprint in Ethiopia and partnerships across Africa.
As the line between telecoms and tech blurs, Safaricom Business is positioning itself at the centre of Kenya’s ambitious digital transformation.
It is noteworthy that Safaricom Business is not just a corporate division but an enabler of growth, a driver of innovation, and a strategic pillar for the future of Safaricom.
By providing connectivity, tools and expertise, it is helping businesses to not only survive but thrive in a rapidly changing digital economy as the telco transforms into a tech-driven firm.
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