The COMESA Competition and Consumer Commission (CCCC) has cleared the sale of a 15 percent stake in Safaricom PLC to Vodacom Group, ruling that the deal will not hurt competition in Kenya or across the COMESA region.
After reviewing the transaction, the regional regulator said the telecom and broadband markets remain competitive and will not be unfairly dominated by one player as a result of the sale.
In Kenya’s mobile (SIM card) market, Safaricom currently holds between 60 and 70 percent of subscriptions. Airtel Kenya follows with 30–40 percent, while Telkom Kenya controls between 0 and 10 percent.
In the broadband internet segment, Safaricom has a 30–40 percent market share. Jamii Telecommunications accounts for 20–30 percent, Poa Internet holds 10–20 percent, and Wananchi Group also controls 10–20 percent.
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According to the CCCC, the transaction does not increase Safaricom’s market share because it involves a change in ownership structure rather than a merger of competing businesses.
While the markets in some member states are concentrated, the Commission concluded that the deal is unlikely to substantially reduce competition or go against public interest within the Common Market.
The Commission formally received notification of the merger on January 16, 2026, under Regulation 42(1) of the COMESA Competition and Consumer Protection Regulations.
The acquiring entity is Vodafone Kenya Limited.
The stake sale stems from the Kenyan government’s decision last year to offload its 15 percent shareholding in Safaricom, subject to regulatory and parliamentary approvals. Under the proposed transaction, the State is expected to sell about six billion shares at Ksh.34 each, raising approximately Ksh.204.3 billion.
Once the deal is completed, Vodacom Group’s ownership in Safaricom will rise from 40 percent to 55 percent, giving it majority control of Kenya’s largest telecom operator.
