Safarcom Plc has detailed how small-scale vendors Mama Mbogas fueled the recorded Ksh99.7 Billion Profit, reporting continued growth across mobile money, data, and enterprise services.
In its financial results for the year ending March 31, released on May 7, Safaricom reported that the Pochi La Biashara platform, widely used by small-scale business owners like mama mboga, recorded strong expansion, with its merchant base increasing by 81.5% to 2.1 million users, reflecting rapid uptake among small-scale traders.
The growth outpaced the formal Lipa na M-PESA segment, which rose by 54.2% to 1.0 million merchants over the same period.
Overall, the total merchant base expanded to 3.1 million, with Pochi La Biashara accounting for approximately 67% of all merchants in the ecosystem, indicating its dominance in informal-sector digital payments.
“The merchant base expanded 71.0% to 3.1Mn, driven mainly by Pochi, which grew 81.5% to 2.1Mn, while Lipa na M-PESA merchants increased 54.2% to 1.0Mn. Assets under wealth management rose to KShs 21.0Bn on increased adoption of digital savings and investment propositions,” Safaricom stated.
Safaricom noted that during the year, M-PESA processed 17.1 billion micro-transactions, accounting for 36.8% of total transaction volumes.
This, according to the company, suggests that Pochi merchants are the primary facilitators of these daily “micro-moments” in the Kenyan economy.
Mobile Data Overtakes Voice as Kenya’s Largest Connectivity Revenue Driver
In the report, Safaricom reported that mobile data has become the largest contributor to connectivity revenue in Kenya, marking a major shift in the country’s telecommunications usage patterns.
According to the report, mobile data revenue grew by 14.4% year-on-year to KSh83.35 billion, reflecting increased reliance on internet-based services.
Also Read: How to Register Your Number to Pochi la Biashara
For the first time, data accounted for 42.1% of connectivity revenue, surpassing voice services, which declined to 41.3%, indicating a structural shift in consumer communication habits.
“Mobile data revenue grew 14.4% YoY to KShs 83.35Bn and became the largest contributor to connectivity revenue at 42.1%, overtaking voice at 41.3%,” the statement noted.
The number of one-month active mobile data users rose by 11.2% to 34.13 million, supported by wider smartphone adoption and expansion of 4G and 5G networks across the country.
Average data consumption per user increased to 4.92GB per month, showing higher engagement with digital services, streaming, and online platforms.
Additionally, Safaricom stated that fixed Services and IoT revenue also grew 12.2% to KSh20.2 billion, driven by increased demand for fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) connections and enterprise connectivity solutions.
Also Read: Safaricom Reduces Home Fibre Fair Usage Limits Across All Packages
Safaricom Records KSh 99.7 Billion Profit as Dividend Rises
Safaricom has announced a record total dividend payout of KSh 80.13 billion for FY2026, marking a 66.7% year-on-year increase and the highest in its history.
The payout comprises a final dividend of KSh 1.15 per share and an interim dividend of KSh 0.85 per share, bringing total earnings per share to KSh 2.00.
The company also reported net income of KSh 99.7 billion, up 67.3%, driven by strong performance in its Kenya business, particularly M-Pesa and data services.
Revenue grew 11.1% overall, while Ethiopia’s losses narrowed. The results highlight Safaricom’s strong cash generation, profitability growth, and improved shareholder returns.
