Safaricom has announced a strategic partnership with retail giant Quickmart. The collaboration allows customers to purchase 4G and 5G home internet routers across all 61 Quickmart outlets nationwide.
The partnership addresses the growing demand for reliable home internet access in areas outside fiber coverage while simplifying the activation process.
Safaricom’s chief consumer business officer, Fawzia Ali, emphasized the company’s commitment to expanding connectivity options, saying, “We are continuously innovating to provide our customers with the best connectivity solutions. This partnership will ensure that more Kenyans can access reliable home internet with ease, reinforcing our promise of seamless connectivity and great value.”
The telecommunications company has also introduced a simplified self-service router activation process. Customers can now scan a QR code to register their SIM card, activate their account, purchase a package, and immediately start using their internet connection without visiting a Safaricom shop.
Both 4G and 5G routers are available at KES 2,999 each. Customers can also purchase these devices at Safaricom retail shops, authorized dealers, and online via Masoko. Safaricom plans to expand these partnerships with additional retailers across Kenya.
The company’s 4G network currently covers over 97% of Kenya’s population, while its expanding 5G network has reached all 47 counties. This extensive coverage enables Safaricom to provide internet solutions to homes beyond the reach of traditional fiber infrastructure.
For 5G users, packages start at KES 4,000 for 50 Mbps with a 30-day validity period, increasing to KES 10,000 for 250 Mbps service. The 4G options offer data bundles ranging from 7.5GB for KES 499 (valid for 7 days) to 500GB for KES 12,499 (valid for 30 days).
This initiative comes as Safaricom prepares to celebrate 25 years of operations in Kenya. The company continues to optimize its network capacity and upgrade Home Fibre speeds at no additional cost to enhance customer experience.
Safaricom remains a dominant force in East Africa’s telecommunications landscape, supporting over 1.1 million jobs and generating an estimated economic value of KES 542 billion (approximately $4.2 billion) for the 12 months through March 2023. The company reported annual revenues of nearly KES 335.4 billion as of March 2024.
Beyond telecommunications, Safaricom operates M-PESA, Africa’s largest fintech platform, which has contributed to financial inclusion in Kenya, raising it from 26.7% in 2006 to 83.7% in 2021.