With 20 bob daily, you can now own a smartphone.

Safaricom, the biggest telecommunication operator in Kenya, has started offering cheap and affordable smartphones. According to its chief executive, the company is partnering with Google to offer a million smartphones. The company’s data business has been low and the company is doing all they can to see the business rise.

“Data penetration is still not at the right level. Many people do not have smartphones,” Peter Ndegwa, the chief executive told Reuters.

Data is among the fastest revenue lane that is growing. Safaricom hopes that an increase in smartphone usage will boost their revenues. According to Ndegwa, customers will pay sh20 daily for a period of 9 months. The company is also in the quest of converting 4 million 3G and 2G phones to 4G.

Safaricom CEO, Peter Ndegwa.


To boost their data business, the company is planning to cover the whole country with 4G network before the year ends. He also added by saying that people with 2G phones are unable to use some apps. Safaricom’s annual earnings during the second half were lifted to $950 million by the increased growth in the data business.


“Smartphone device is critical in supporting the new realities brought about by COVID-19. This proposition aims to support Kenyans during and beyond this pandemic by enabling them to access more opportunities, be it learning, working or running businesses from the comfort of their homes,” Ndegwa added.


The collaboration of Safaricom with Google will not only help boost Safaricom’s data business but also give citizens an opportunity to take part in online activities.

To get the Safaricom handset dial *544# and choose option 5 for Lipa MdogoMdogo

To qualify for this service, you must meet the following criteria:

You must be using a 2G or 3G smartphone.

You must not be listed on CRB for pending loans.

You must have been a Safaricom customer for 1 year

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