Airtel Kenya has acquired 100 MHz of spectrum in the prime 3500 MHz band for US$65 million (approximately Ksh. 8.45 billion), securing a 25-year licence approved by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA).

The transaction, disclosed by parent company Airtel Africa in its half-year results for the period ended September 30, 2026.
The 3500 MHz (3.5 GHz) band enables operators to handle heavy data traffic, reduce latency, and deliver peak speeds in densely populated urban centers.
Airtel’s latest purchase follows a series of spectrum allocations that have reshaped the competitive landscape between Kenya’s two largest operators:
  • May 2022 (Safaricom): The CA allocated 60 MHz in the 2600 MHz band to Safaricom ahead of its commercial rollout. While the exact fee for that specific band remained undisclosed, Safaricom later reported licence and spectrum-related expenditures of KSh 16.3 billion (about US$126 million) in the financial year ended March 2026. In May 2026, Safaricom also secured its own landmark 25-year unified operating licence renewal from the regulator.
  • July 2022 (Airtel Kenya): Airtel followed with an acquisition of 60 MHz in the 2600 MHz band, paying US$40 million on a 15-year licence to expand 4G capacity and prepare for 5G.
  • October 2022: Safaricom officially became the first operator in Kenya to launch commercial 5G services following trials that began in early 2021.
  • July 2023: Airtel officially rolled out commercial 5G across 372 sites in 16 counties.
  • Network Milestones: By mid-2024, Safaricom had expanded its footprint to 803 5G sites, while Airtel had deployed 690 sites across 39 counties.
The Airtel investment means increased competition between the two telecommunications giants who both have millions of customers, with Safaricom having a heavy 68% market share advantage.