Safaricom PLC has unveiled plans to introduce tokenised Wi-Fi and prepaid fibre internet services in the second half of its 2026 financial year.
The new offerings will allow customers to pay for internet connectivity on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, moving away from the traditional full-month subscription.
The telecommunications firm said the initiative is aimed at expanding internet access and improving affordability by offering flexible pricing structures similar to those used for mobile data bundles.
Under the new model, customers will purchase time-based internet access, allowing them to connect only when they need to, rather than paying a fixed monthly fee regardless of usage.
According to Safaricom, the tokenised Wi-Fi service will enable users to buy digital tokens that grant access to internet connectivity for specific time periods.
Prepaid fibre, on the other hand, will allow customers to enjoy fibre broadband without committing to long-term contracts or monthly billing cycles.
The company said the approach is designed to lower entry barriers, particularly for low-income households, students, and small businesses whose internet needs may be intermittent.
“Tokenised and prepaid internet services will give customers greater control and flexibility over how they consume fixed broadband,” Safaricom said, noting that the new model mirrors the success of mobile data bundles, which have played a major role in driving internet adoption across the country.
Industry analysts say the move could be a game-changer in the broadband market, especially in a country where many households rely on irregular or seasonal incomes.
Flexible payment options are seen as a practical solution to affordability challenges that have slowed the uptake of fixed internet services.
Safaricom’s fixed broadband segment currently serves more than 400,000 customers.
However, the company estimates the potential market for fixed internet in Kenya at about four million users.
By introducing token-based and prepaid options, Safaricom hopes to reach households and enterprises that have remained offline due to cost constraints or the rigidity of existing subscription models.
The new services are also expected to intensify competition with informal Wi-Fi providers and low-cost internet vendors that operate mainly in urban and peri-urban areas.
By leveraging its nationwide network and infrastructure, Safaricom aims to offer a more reliable and higher-quality alternative to budget-conscious consumers.
Safaricom Chief Executive Officer Peter Ndegwa has previously described fixed broadband as central to the company’s next phase of growth.
“We have just over 400,000 customers on fixed broadband today, in a market that is only serving about 1.2 million,” Ndegwa said in December 2025.
“At a country level, the opportunity is closer to four million. That leaves roughly three million people still to be connected.”
Safaricom’s financial year runs from October to March, placing the expected rollout of the new services between October 2025 and March 2026.
The initiative forms part of a broader strategy to unlock growth in the fixed broadband segment, which company executives say remains significantly underserved despite rising demand for reliable home and business connectivity.
Ndegwa has repeatedly emphasised the long-term potential of the sector, describing fixed broadband as one of the biggest opportunities in Kenya’s digital economy.
“Today, the market is only serving about 1.2 million users, so there is still another three million to be served,” he said
by Allan Kisia
