Vodacom Takes Control of Safaricom in $2.1bn Deal with Kenyan Government and Vodafone

In one of Africa’s most significant telecoms transactions, Vodacom Group has finalized a landmark $2.1 billion deal to take controlling interest in Safaricom, East Africa’s largest mobile operator. The agreement, reached in partnership with the Government of Kenya and parent company Vodafone, marks a strategic shift set to reshape the region’s digital and mobile-money landscape.

Under the terms of the transaction, Vodafone has transferred a substantial portion of its Safaricom shareholding to Vodacom, consolidating the South African operator’s influence across the continent. The Kenyan government retains its existing stake, ensuring continued domestic oversight of the country’s most valuable corporate asset.

Industry analysts say the move strengthens Vodacom’s position as a pan-African telecom leader while aligning Safaricom with a broader continental innovation strategy. The company’s flagship product, M-Pesa, is expected to gain from expanded infrastructure, cross-border interoperability, and deeper integration into Vodacom’s financial-services ecosystem.

Kenyan officials welcomed the deal, highlighting assurances around governance, local shareholder protections, and commitments to expand digital inclusion. The partnership is projected to accelerate network investments, support 5G rollout, and boost enterprise and SME digital-solutions growth.

Vodacom executives described the agreement as a “transformational opportunity” and reaffirmed long-term plans to scale mobile-money, cloud, IoT, and fintech products across Africa’s fast-growing markets.

SOURCE: AGENCIES