Safaricom MPesa ownership history dates back to 1997 when it was incorporated as a subsidiary of Telkom Kenya. The firm has since outgrown its parent company in the number of subscribers and profit margins. Economy analysts attribute the immense growth to good governance, stable network, and best-seller products such as MPesa.
The prosperous Safaricom PLC with headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, ranks among the best telecommunication companies in Africa. Its profitability and scale of operation are particularly attractive.
Safaricom MPesa ownership history since 1997
Who are the owners of Safaricom PLC? The shareholding structure of Safaricom PLC comprises the government of Kenya at 35%, the South Africa-based Vodacom at 35%, Vodafone at 5%, and free ๏ฌoat at 25%.
Safaricom with at least 40 million subscribers controls about 70 percent of the Kenyan market. The closest competitors are Zuku Kenya, Telkom Kenya, and Airtel Kenya.
Established in 1997 as a subsidiary of Telkom Kenya, Safaricom eventually upgraded to a public company in 2002 with government shares pegged at 60%.
Who owns MPesa?
While the government of Kenya and Vodacom are giant shareholders, Vodafone owns MPesa rights and its intellectual properties. However, attempts are ongoing to transfer the MPesa brand and its intellectual rights to Safaricom.
Who Invented MPesa? Safaricom PLC recognizes Nyagaka Anyona Ouko as the inventor of the MPesa launched in 2007 by former CEO Michael Joseph. Nyagaka, an alumna of JKUAT, allegedly received an unspecified reward from the telco.
Hughes vs Nyagaka
In 2012, Nyagaka allegedly presented a Certificate of Copyright affirming himself as the founder.
Conflicting information indicates that Vodafone head of social enterprises Nick Hughes pioneered the MPesa idea in 2003.
Records show that the idea of mobile transactions earned Nick Hughes a whooping Ksh. 140 million in funding within a couple of years.
The UKโs Department for International Development trusted Hughes with the capitation upon conviction that it was futuristic.
Some sources indicate that Hughes worked closely with Susie Lonie who was equally enthusiastic with Vodafone mobile commerce in Europe.
Above all, Nyagaka Anyona Ouko is credited for helping Hughes and his team with a mobile money transfer breakthrough dubbed MPesa.
Between 2013 and 2016, Safaricom introduced additional features such as M-Shwari – a mobile-based savings and loans product offered in partnership with a local bank.
In 2017, the Kenyan government recognized the significance of M-Pesa and introduced regulations to ensure the safety and stability of mobile money services.
How many countries use Safaricom?
MPesa is available in about 10 countries with Ethiopia being the latest beneficiary.
The list of countries with MPesa services is as follows;
Ghana
India
Egypt
Lesotho
Ethiopia
Tanzania
Afghanistan
Mozambique
Democratic Republic of Congo
The success of MPesa is now spilling to more African and Asian countries.
Safaricom PLC Branches in Kenya
How many branches does Safaricom have? There are about 55 operational Safaricom Branches in various parts of the country.
About 25 outlets are located in central Kenya, specifically in Nairobi City County.
1. Safaricom shops in Nairobi City
No
Safaricom Shops
Locations
1
Sarit Center
Sarit Center Mall, Karuna Rd Westlands
2
Village Market
Village Market Mall, Limuru Road
3
Kimathi Street โ CBD
Balfour Building, Ground Floor, Kimathi Street
4
I & M Building โ CBD
I&M Towers, Ground Floor, Kenyatta Avenue
5
Moi Avenue โ CBD
Shankardass House, Ground Floor, Moi Avenue
6
Eastleigh
Nomad Palace Hotel, Ground Floor, General Waruinge Street
7
Nakumatt Mega (CBD)
Nakumatt Mega, Uhuru Highway
8
Buruburu
Kenya National Library Services Building, Mumias Road
9
JKIA
JKIA Lounges, Gate 11
10
Bomas
Galleria Mall, Langata/Magadi Road
11
Nairobi โ Junction
Junction Mall, Ground floor
12
Yaya Centre
Phone Link Limited. Yaya Centre
13
Ongata Rongai
Vester Limited. Valley Villa Building
14
Kayole
Triple X Communications Limited. Spine Road
15
Githurai
Embcomm Network. Next to Equity Bank Githurai
16
Embakasi
Mobile World. Embakasi North Airport Road
17
Aga Khan Walk (CBD)
NHC Buiding, Opp Coop Bank
18
Kangemi
MasterPiece LTD. KREP Bank Building
19
Otiende
Interservice Ltd. Quincy Mall, Otiende Langata
20
Donholm
Work & Talk Communications. Kisumu Dogo
21
Kahawa Wendani
Latest Communications. Magunas Supermarket Building
22
Nairobi CBD
Mobile World. The transnational building, Mama Ngina St.
Accessibility to services is key for continued growth at Safaricom PLC.
List of Safaricom CEOs
These are the Chief Executive Officers at Safaricom PLC since its founding in 1997.
Years
CEOs
2020 โ current
Peter Ndegwa
2019 – 2020
Michael Joseph
2010 โ 2019
Bob Collymore
2000 – 2010
Michael Joseph
Peter Ndegwa is the current CEO at Safaricom PLC. The founding CEO was Michael Joseph.
Safaricom customer care contacts
Telephone
0722000000
P.O Box
66827
Postal address
00800
CEO email
ceo@safaricom.co.ke
Website
www.safaricom.co.ke
Provided below are dedicated contacts for customers seeking categorized services.
i. Customer support team
Prepay
Mobile
100
Telephone
0722002100 (chargeable)
Email
customercare@safaricom.co.ke
Postpay
Mobile
200
telephone
0722002200 (chargeable)
Email
advantage@safaricom.co.ke
ii. Online support team
Twitter
@Safaricom_Care
Twitter II
@SafaricomPLC
Facebook
@SafaricomPLC
iii. Safaricom Home internet support
Phone
400
Self-support
*400#
iv. Safaricom ethics hotline โ reporting
Telephone
0800720009 (toll-free)
Mobile
0722003272
Email
Safaricom@ethics-line.com
Public relations
prcomms@safaricom.co.ke
Website
www.safaricomethicsline.com
The history of Safaricom in Kenya is one marked by immense digitization. The telco from three decades ago is thriving on โTwawezaโ and โThe Better Optionโ slogans.
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