Safaricom has slashed the cost of fibre connections for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by 25% in a two-month campaign aimed at accelerating digital adoption among Kenya’s business backbone. The discount, which runs from August to September 2025, is expected to help more small firms access affordable, high-speed internet and compete more effectively in the digital economy.
MSMEs contribute about 40% to Kenya’s GDP and employ nearly 15 million people, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. Yet many remain locked out of growth opportunities due to high operational costs especially for reliable internet. In today’s business environment, connectivity is no longer a luxury but a basic requirement for survival and competitiveness.
Affordable broadband enables MSMEs to run cloud-based inventory systems, adopt digital payment platforms, deploy customer relationship management tools and market their products globally. Without it, they risk being sidelined from lucrative opportunities in e-commerce, digital trade and regional value chains.
A joint study by the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) recently found that while the government scored 57% on integrating MSMEs into the digital economy, it managed just 40% in tackling digitization costs underscoring the need for private sector interventions like Safaricom’s.
The timing of the offer also aligns with national preparations for the 2025 MSME Census, which will capture data on financing, market access, digital transformation and climate resilience. Improved connectivity could help businesses leverage new opportunities the census aims to highlight.
Industry analysts say the reduced fibre cost could fast-track Kenya’s small businesses into regional and global markets, following the country’s strong showing at this year’s EAC MSME Trade Fair and Global SME Ministerial Meeting in Johannesburg. Cheaper, more reliable internet will allow entrepreneurs to collaborate remotely, tap real-time market intelligence and sell directly to international customers.
Digital adoption is also seen as critical for resilience, enabling businesses to better withstand disruptions such as supply chain delays and shifts in consumer behaviour. With tools like cloud accounting, AI-powered customer engagement and data analytics now within easier reach, more MSMEs could join the ranks of digitally enabled enterprises driving Kenya’s growth.
While Safaricom’s fibre discount runs for just two months, its ripple effects could last far longer helping to shape a new generation of tech-ready entrepreneurs and reinforcing Kenya’s push towards a more digitized, inclusive economy
