Kenya’s Safaricom stake sale: what it means for its digital future
- Kenya's government plans to divest 34.9% stake in Safaricom to raise KSh149 billion.
- The divestment aims to fund the 2025/26 national budget by offloading stakes in 11 state-owned enterprises.
- Safaricom's mobile money platform, M-PESA, supports over 60% of Kenya's GDP in mobile transactions.
The divestment of Safaricom's stake presents a complex challenge for Kenya, balancing immediate fiscal needs against the potential risks to national digital sovereignty. While increased private investment may foster innovation, it is crucial for the government to ensure that essential digital services remain under national control to safeguard the country's strategic interests.
