Airtel’s Battle for Market Share in Kenya: What’s Holding Them Back?

Kenya’s telecommunications landscape is undergoing significant changes, with major players like Safaricom and Airtel vying for dominance in a rapidly evolving market. Recent events, including the nationwide protests and subsequent internet shutdown on June 25th, have added a layer of complexity to this competitive environment. In our latest episode of the 24Bit podcast, we explored Airtel’s current market position, their strategies, and whether they are poised to challenge Safaricom’s dominance effectively.

One of the main topics we tackled was Airtel’s competitiveness in a market dominated by Safaricom. We talked about their network coverage, including the much-anticipated rollout of 5G, and whether it’s living up to the hype.

We also dug into Airtel Money and how it stacks up against the juggernaut that is M-Pesa. While there have been improvements, there’s no denying that Airtel still has a long way to go to catch up. And then there’s Airtel’s marketing strategy—an area where we all feel they could be doing a lot more. With Safaricom facing public criticism, this could have been Airtel’s moment to shine, but we all agreed they might be missing the boat.

If you’re curious about where Airtel goes from here, you’ll want to catch this episode. We wrapped up with our thoughts on what Airtel needs to do to gain a real foothold in the market—from better marketing to more reliable network services. It’s a conversation that anyone interested in Kenya’s telecom industry won’t want to miss.

You can watch the full video on YouTube, or if you’re on the go, stream the audio version on Spotify or your favorite podcast app – by searching for 24Bit Kenya. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a business professional, or just someone who wants to know more about the services you use, this episode has something for you. Tune in, and let us know your thoughts—we’d love to hear from you!