If you’re running a business and have been putting off getting proper internet because of the cost, this might be good news for you. Safaricom has just announced they’re offering 25% off new fibre connections for businesses – but there’s a catch. You need to be in a building that’s already set up for fibre, and you’ve got two months to take advantage of this deal.
The announcement came during one of Safaricom’s business forums in Nairobi, where they regularly meet with entrepreneurs to talk about growth challenges and solutions. These aren’t just sales pitches – they’re actually trying to address real problems that small businesses face.
According to Frankline Okata, who’s acting as Safaricom’s Chief Enterprise Business Officer, the idea is simple: “Our commitment at Safaricom Business is to power business growth through products and solutions that matter to entrepreneurs. This offer on fibre to the business will ensure MSMEs have access to the fastest, most reliable internet that matches their ambitions.”
The timing of this offer isn’t random. Recent data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics reveals something quite sobering – more than 70% of small businesses don’t make it past their third year. The main reasons? Cash flow problems and market access issues. These are exactly the kind of challenges that reliable, fast internet can help address.
Think about it: if you’re running a small business today, you probably need internet for everything from processing payments to marketing on social media, managing inventory, or even just staying in touch with customers. Poor internet can literally cost you money.
What’s interesting about Safaricom’s approach is that they’re not just offering discounted internet and calling it a day. They’re also rolling out business credit solutions that look at your actual transaction history and business performance to offer loans. This is quite different from traditional banks that might ask for collateral you don’t have.
The forum where this was announced focused on ‘Fuelling Financial Growth Through Innovation’ – which sounds very corporate, but essentially means finding new ways to help small businesses access money and tools they need to grow.
For entrepreneurs attending these forums (and there have been thousands across the country), it’s not just about getting cheaper internet. It’s about connecting with other business owners, learning new skills, and accessing services that were previously only available to bigger companies.
If you’re considering this offer, remember it’s specifically for businesses in fibre-ready buildings, and you have until mid-October to make the decision. Given that internet connectivity has become essential for most businesses, and the fact that many small businesses are still struggling with cash flow, this 25% discount could make a real difference for some entrepreneurs.
