The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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The COMESA Competition and Consumer Commission (CCCC) has approved Vodacom Group’s acquisition of a 15 percent stake in Safaricom PLC, ruling that the deal will not negatively affect competition in Kenya or the wider region.
In its review, the regulator noted that mobile and broadband markets in Kenya and other COMESA member states remain competitive and are not dominated by a single player following the transaction.
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Safaricom currently holds 60–70% of Kenya’s mobile (SIM) subscription market, with Airtel at 30–40% and Telkom Kenya at 0–10%. In the broadband sector, Safaricom controls 30–40%, Jamii Telecommunications 20–30%, Poa Internet 10–20%, and Wananchi Group 10–20%.
“The Panel determined that the merger would not lead to market share growth that could substantially reduce competition in the Common Market or any significant part of it,” the CCCC report said. “The transaction is therefore not expected to be contrary to the public interest.”
The Commission received notification of the merger on January 16, 2026, under Regulation 42(1) of the COMESA Competition and Consumer Protection Regulations.
The Kenyan government had earlier announced plans to sell its 15 percent stake in Safaricom to Vodacom, pending regulatory and parliamentary approvals. The deal involves selling approximately six billion shares at Sh34 each, raising about Sh204.3 billion.
If completed, Vodacom Group’s holding in Safaricom will rise from 40 percent to 55 percent.
