Airtel Africa acquires 5G spectrum in Kenya

Airtel Africa's Kenyan subsidiary has acquired 100 MHz in the 3500 MHz band, approved by Kenya's telecommunications regulator (CRA), for a period of 25 years. This spectrum is critical for building and expanding 5G networks, which are known for their ability to handle large amounts of data and support many users at once.

Market share shifts in Kenya's telecom sector

Between December 2025 and June 2026, Airtel's share of mobile subscriptions in Kenya dropped from 29.2% to 26.8%, while its main competitor, Safaricom, saw its share rise from 66.8% to 69.8%. In the mobile broadband segment, Airtel held 31.9% of subscriptions compared to 64.4% for Safaricom.

Rapid growth in Kenya's 5G user base

As of June 2026, Kenya had 2.1 million 5G subscriptions, compared to 1.2 million a year earlier. 5G users consumed an average of 64.4 GB of data per month, more than four times the 15.8 GB used by 4G subscribers. This highlights the growing demand for high-speed mobile internet.

Airtel's strategy for improving its position

For Airtel, acquiring additional frequencies should allow it to meet the increasing data demands of users and support offers aimed at both individuals and businesses. The operator is also developing fixed internet access via fiber and mobile 5G networks, aiming to expand its service range.

Challenges to market competition in Kenya

Improving technical capacity alone does not guarantee a rebalancing of the market. According to the World Bank's October 2025 report on digital inclusion in Kenya, the strong concentration of market power limited competition and contributed to maintaining high prices. For example, Safaricom's 20 GB mobile plan cost 51% more than that of its closest competitor in the first quarter of 2025.

Potential benefits and limitations of new spectrum

The new frequencies could result in faster connections, better service quality in congested areas, and an expansion of 5G offers for home use. However, these benefits will depend on additional investments in antennas and equipment, as well as the extent of actual coverage.