Airtel's KSh8.4 billion 5G deal: what it means for your internet and the fight with Safaricom

In its half-year results, Airtel Africa disclosed that Airtel Kenya has paid US$65 million (about KSh8.4 billion) for 100MHz of spectrum in the 3.5GHz band, approved by the Communications Authority of Kenya for 25 years. It is one of the biggest network investments in Kenya this year.

First: what is spectrum?

Spectrum is the set of radio frequencies that phones and masts use to talk to each other. Think of it as lanes on a highway: the more lanes an operator has, the more data it can carry at once without traffic jams. The 3.5GHz band (also called C-band) is the main band used for 5G around the world.

The deal at a glance

Will my internet get faster?

• Possibly, in time. More spectrum means more capacity: faster downloads, smoother streaming and video calls, and more 5G home internet in busy areas.
• Not overnight. Spectrum alone does not extend coverage; Airtel still has to build or upgrade masts and links.
• You need a 5G phone and to be in a 5G area. Kenya had about 2.1 million 5G subscriptions by June 2026, up 69% in a year, out of 64 million mobile data subscriptions. Most people are still on 4G.

Airtel vs Safaricom

Safaricom still dominates, and it is pulling in record profits (see Safaricom's half-year results). Airtel's strategy is to compete on data capacity and price, and on mobile money.

The Airtel Money angle

On 9 October 2026, Airtel Money, Airtel Africa's mobile money business, listed on the London Stock Exchange at £1.96 a share, valuing it at about £5.3 billion. It was London's biggest listing in five years. Existing shareholders sold about £529 million of shares, so the listing raised no new money for the business itself. Airtel Money has about 53 million monthly active users across Africa, and in Kenya it is targeting small businesses to compete with M-Pesa.

What it means for you

1. More competition can mean better data bundles and prices; compare offers before you buy.
2. 5G home internet may become an option in more estates as an alternative to fibre.
3. Check coverage on the operator's map before buying a 5G router or phone.

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