Safaricom Confirms New Ownership Structure After Vodafone Kenya Deal

Safaricom PLC has confirmed the completion of Vodafone Kenya Limited’s acquisition of the government’s 15% stake in the telecommunications company, marking the conclusion of a transaction first announced in December 2025.

In a notice dated June 30, Safaricom said Vodafone Kenya completed the acquisition through a block trade on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) after all conditions precedent to the transaction had been fulfilled.

“Safaricom’s shareholders, investors and the public are advised that Vodafone Kenya has informed Safaricom that all the conditions precedent to the Proposed Transaction have been fulfilled or, where applicable, waived, and that the GoK Share Acquisition was effected on 30 June 2026 by way of a block trade on the Nairobi Securities Exchange,” Safaricom stated.

The company also confirmed that the concurrent internal reorganisation of Vodafone Kenya has been completed, resulting in Vodacom Group Limited becoming the sole owner of Vodafone Kenya.

Safaricom PLC Confirms Completion of Government Stake Sale to Vodafone

Following completion of the transaction, Vodafone Kenya’s shareholding in Safaricom has increased to 55%, making it the company’s majority shareholder.

Additionally, the Government now holds a 20% stake, while the remaining 25% is owned by general public investors.

Also Read: Safaricom Confirms Vodafone’s Plans to Acquire Government Stake

According to Safaricom, the acquisition follows an exemption granted by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), allowing Vodafone Kenya to complete the transaction without making a mandatory takeover offer to the company’s remaining shareholders.

The telecommunication giant further said the government’s shareholding was transferred to Vodafone Kenya through a block trade executed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange on June 30.

The company noted that the transaction formed part of a broader proposed deal first announced on December 4, 2025, which included both the acquisition of additional Safaricom shares by Vodafone Kenya and an internal reorganisation of Vodafone Kenya’s ownership structure.

Therefore, as part of that reorganisation, Vodacom Group Limited now owns 100 per cent of Vodafone Kenya.

Court Cleared the Way for the Sale to Vodafone

Safaricom further disclosed that the Court of Appeal lifted a conservatory order on June 26, 2026, allowing the Government’s share sale to proceed.

However, the company noted that a petition challenging the acquisition remains pending before the High Court, which heard the matter on June 29, 2026.

Safaricom said it will issue further announcements should there be any material developments regarding the ongoing court proceedings.

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The confirmation comes after an earlier announcement by Vodacom Group that it had completed the acquisition after the Court of Appeal lifted a conservatory order and all remaining conditions precedent were met.

Vodacom Group Chief Executive Officer Shameel Joosub described the acquisition as “a landmark moment” for both companies, saying majority ownership of Safaricom would strengthen the Group’s position in East Africa while creating opportunities to expand digital and financial inclusion in Kenya and Ethiopia.

According to Vodacom, the acquisition forms part of its Vision 2030 strategy, which seeks to deepen the company’s presence in Africa’s high-growth markets and expand its digital and financial services business across the continent.

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Safaricom Confirms Vodafone Kenya Acquired Government’s 15% Stake. Photo/ file