Safaricom’s Owners: Kenyan Govt and Other Key Shareholders in Safaricom, East Africa’s Most Profitable Company

Safaricom's Owners: Kenyan Govt and Other Key Shareholders in Safaricom, East Africa's Most Profitable Company

According to the Communications Authority of Kenya’s first quarter sector report for the financial year 2021/2022, Safaricom controls a 64.6% market share

The report indicated Airtel was second with 26.5% mobile subscriptions followed by Telkom Kenya (6.4%) and Equitel (2.3%)

Safaricom shareholders comprise the government of Kenya (35%), Vodacom (35%), Vodafone (5%) and free float (25%)

Safaricom is the largest telecommunications service provider in Kenya with a market share of 64.6%. William Ruto has 400,000 Safaricom shares. Photo: Wiliam Ruto. Source: Facebook This is according to the Communications Authority of Kenya’s first quarter sector report for the financial year 2021/2022.

According to the report, Airtel was second with 26.5% mobile subscriptions followed by Telkom Kenya (6.4%) and Equitel (2.3%).

But who owns Safaricom?

A report by the telco indicates shareholders comprise of the Government of Kenya, Vodacom, and Vodafone. The rest of the shares are on a free float. 1. Kenyan government

The government of Kenya owns 35% of Safaricom.

Safaricom was incorporated as a private limited liability company before being converted into a public company in the year 2002. Under the Government Law Act (Chapter 446), the Kenyan government held 60% of the Safaricom shares when it was converted into a public company.

But in December 2007, the shares of the government were detained by Telkom Kenya, which was known to be a government company under the law. In March 2008, Safaricom had no other option but to offer its 10,000,000,000 ordinary shares to the public via the Nairobi Securities Exchange. 2. Vodacom

The South African mobile communications company owns 35% of Safaricom.Besides Kenya, Vodacom has operations in Tanzania , the Democratic Republic of the Congo (the DRC), Mozambique, Lesotho.The company’s mobile networks cover a population of over 303 million people.Vodafone owns 60.5% of Vodacom. 3. Vodafone British multinational telecommunications company Vodafone has 5% shares at Safaricom.According to Tech Monitor , Vodafone boats over 400 million connections and customers across 26 countries. 4. Safaricom employees In July 2021, Safaricom’s top managers were awarded 16.4 million shares valued at KSh 700 million.In 2020, the employees had bought 17.8 million units worth KSh 763 million, Business Daily reported.The telco added eligible staff was allowed to purchase 16.42 million worth KSh480.7 million and another 17.83 million valued at KSh 438.6 million. 5. Safaricom free float Local investors hold 25% of the company. According to Safaricom, 96% of its shareholders hold a maximum of […]

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