Safaricom PLC has added nine new mobile number prefixes to its network, expanding its numbering capacity in response to sustained growth in its subscriber base across Kenya and Ethiopia. Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa. The company has unveiled new mobile numbers. The new prefixes, 0118, 0119, 0140, 0141, 0142, 0143, 0180, 0181, and 0182, became available on August 10, 2026, at all Safaricom shops and authorised dealer outlets nationwide. The company confirmed the launch through its official social media channels, telling customers the new ranges offered “more ways to stay connected to the people and moments that matter.” “Fresh number, fresh start! Safaricom’s new number ranges are here, giving you more ways to stay connected to the people and moments that matter. Get yours from any Safaricom Shop or dealer outlet with prefixes 0118, 0119, 0140–0143, or 0180–0182.”
Why Safaricom needed new prefixes The expansion follows the exhaustion of numbers in the longstanding 07-prefix series. Kenya first introduced the 01XX prefix range in 2018 to supplement the existing 07XX series as subscriber numbers grew, and the latest rollout extends that numbering inventory further to keep pace with demand. Safaricom now serves more than 71.6 million customers across its Kenyan and Ethiopian operations, with annual revenues reaching KSh 400 billion as of March 2026. Record financial performance behind the expansion The numbering rollout coincides with the strongest financial results in Safaricom’s 25-year history. Shareholders approved a total dividend payout of KSh 80.13 billion for the financial year ended March 2026, representing a final dividend of KSh 1.15 per share and a full-year total of KSh 2.00 per share. The company’s share price climbed 50.3% over the financial year, pushing its market capitalisation to KSh 1.44 trillion.
Chief Executive Officer Peter Ndegwa described the period as “a defining year,” crediting the performance to strong core business results even as the company absorbed setup costs in Ethiopia. Safaricom Ethiopia contributed to the group’s growth figures, reporting a 66.1% rise in revenue to KSh 5.04 billion, driven by a 78.6% year-on-year jump in mobile data revenue. The Ethiopian unit is projected to break even in the coming financial year. What Safaricom customers can expect Customers interested in acquiring a number from the new prefix ranges are advised to visit their nearest Safaricom outlet to check availability. The company’s Golden Numbers service remains available for subscribers seeking personalised or memorable combinations, subject to availability and applicable pricing. The prefix launch follows Safaricom’s recent PATA MORE campaign, which increased data allocations on selected bundles and expanded fee-free transaction thresholds for M-Pesa users and merchants. Has Safaricom revised data bundle packages? TUKO.co.ke also highlighted Safaricom’s recent revisions to its data bundle packages, which include restricted access to hourly plans following customer complaints. The backlash centres on the one-hour 1GB bundle, now operational only between 11pm and 4pm, leaving many users dissatisfied during peak hours. Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
