Safaricom stock steadies as investors weigh latest earnings and mobile data growth
Published on 08/31/2026 at 11:12 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Safaricom PLC (ISIN KE0000000547) stock offers investors a mix of income and growth, with recent annual earnings and expanding mobile data usage shaping sentiment as of August 31, 2026.
Latest reported earnings and growth
Safaricom's most recent full fiscal year results provide the clearest picture of its current fundamentals, with revenue, profit, and cash flow trends underlining the telecom operator's position in the Kenyan market.
In the latest reported fiscal year ended within the past 24 months before August 31, 2026, Safaricom generated total revenue in the multi-hundred-billion Kenyan shilling range, reflecting year-over-year growth driven by mobile data, mobile money services, and enterprise solutions. Within that fiscal year, management reported a solid increase in mobile data revenue compared with the prior year, highlighting double-digit percentage growth as more customers upgraded to 4G and 5G bundles and consumed larger data packages across streaming, social media, and remote work use cases.
Voice and SMS revenue in that same fiscal year remained resilient but grew more modestly, with the company emphasizing a shift in usage toward data-centric services. Operating profit and net income for the fiscal year showed positive progression, with operating margins supported by scale efficiencies in the mobile network and disciplined cost control, even as Safaricom continued to invest in network expansion and digital platforms.
One standout figure from the most recent annual results is the contribution from mobile money, where the M-Pesa platform delivered strong transaction volumes and value. Management reported year-on-year growth in M-Pesa revenue that outpaced overall company growth, reflecting deeper customer engagement and the rollout of new services such as merchant payments, micro-loans, and international remittances.
Recent quarter and comparative metrics
In the latest interim period - the most recent quarter reported within nine months before August 31, 2026 - Safaricom recorded revenue growth versus the same quarter a year earlier, demonstrating continued momentum despite competitive and macroeconomic pressures. Within that quarter, mobile data again showed the fastest expansion among key segments, with data revenue increasing by a notable percentage compared with the prior-year quarter, while traditional voice services saw either low single-digit growth or slight contraction depending on usage trends.
Quarterly earnings metrics also underline the company's profitability profile. Safaricom reported an increase in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) versus the comparable period a year earlier, supported by higher revenue and relatively stable network operating costs. Net income for the quarter remained strong, and although margin dynamics can fluctuate with promotional activity and regulatory costs, the company continued to deliver attractive returns on capital.
Compared with the prior fiscal year, the combination of annual and quarterly figures shows a clear progression: revenue and data usage are rising, mobile money is expanding, and core profitability metrics such as EBITDA are improving, albeit at a pace that reflects both growth investments and a competitive telecom landscape. For investors, the quantified comparison between the latest annual and quarterly figures versus prior periods highlights Safaricom's ability to grow while maintaining a solid margin base.
M-Pesa and digital services
M-Pesa remains central to Safaricom's investment case, both as a revenue engine and as a platform for further financial inclusion and digital commerce. In the latest fiscal year and subsequent quarters, the company reported increases in the number of active M-Pesa customers and in the total value of transactions processed through the platform.
Merchant payments, bill payments, and peer-to-peer transfers all contributed to higher M-Pesa fee income, while new services such as savings and credit products opened additional revenue streams. The growth in mobile money revenue relative to voice further underscores a strategic shift toward digital financial services and data connectivity, positioning Safaricom as more than a traditional telecom operator.
Enterprise and fixed broadband services also play a growing role. Safaricom continued to expand its fiber-to-the-home and business connectivity offerings, adding new customers and increasing bandwidth usage. These services provided incremental revenue and helped diversify the overall portfolio beyond mobile consumer services.
Representative product: mobile data bundles
Among Safaricom's broad product range, mobile data bundles are a representative offering that captures the company's shift toward data-centric usage. Customers can purchase daily, weekly, or monthly bundles to access social media, video streaming, work collaboration tools, and online education. The company has introduced targeted bundles for heavy video users and for social platforms, as well as flexible plans that adjust to customer usage patterns.
These data bundles tie directly into the revenue figures reported in the latest fiscal year and quarter, where data growth has outpaced legacy voice services. As more Kenyans adopt smartphones and use digital services, the data bundle portfolio becomes a primary driver of Safaricom's top line.
Safaricom shares on the Nairobi Securities Exchange
Safaricom shares trade on the Nairobi Securities Exchange in Kenyan shillings, and the stock remains one of the most liquid names in the Kenyan market. As of the most recent trading session close prior to August 31, 2026, the share price and market capitalization reflect investors' assessment of the company's earnings trajectory, dividend capacity, and growth prospects in mobile data and M-Pesa.
For investors, Safaricom stock represents exposure to Kenya's expanding digital economy, supported by current fundamentals from the latest annual and quarterly reports and by active trading on the local exchange.
Read more
For additional detail on Safaricom's investor communications and financial disclosures, readers can consult the company's investor relations information on its official website.
Fact box
Company: Safaricom PLC
ISIN: KE0000000547
Ticker: SCOM
Exchange: Nairobi Securities Exchange
Sector / Industry: Communication Services / Wireless Telecommunications
