Airtel Kenya has paid Ksh8.4 billion (US$65 million) for a 25-year licence to use 100 MHz of spectrum in the 3500 MHz band, expanding its capacity to roll out 5G services and intensify competition with market leader Safaricom.
The acquisition, disclosed in parent company Airtel Africa’s half-year financial results released on October 30, 2026, was approved by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), subject to standard conditions.
The 3500 MHz band, commonly known as the C-band, is one of the principal frequency ranges used globally for commercial 5G deployments. It offers a balance between network capacity and coverage, making it particularly suitable for densely populated urban areas.
The purchase builds on Airtel Kenya’s earlier spectrum investments. In July 2022, the operator acquired 60 MHz in the 2600 MHz band for US$40 million under a 15-year licence to expand network capacity and support future 5G services.
Airtel subsequently launched commercial 5G services in July 2023, initially operating 372 sites across 16 counties. By June 2024, its 5G network had expanded to 690 sites covering 39 counties.
The latest acquisition also comes alongside a broader investment programme supported by external financing.
In 2025, Airtel Kenya secured a US$70 million financing facility from the International Finance Corporation, followed by an additional facility of up to US$100 million in 2026 intended to support network expansion, modernisation and debt refinancing.
The spectrum deal comes as Kenya’s 5G market records strong subscriber growth. Communications Authority statistics showed that 5G subscriptions increased to 2.1 million in June 2026, up from 1.2 million a year earlier, representing a 75 per cent increase.
Safaricom, which launched commercial 5G services in October 2022, remained the dominant player. As of March 2024, Safaricom had 803 5G sites compared with Airtel’s 690.
The two operators have also recently secured new 25-year operating licences.
Airtel Kenya Managing Director Djibril Tobe announced in August 2026 that the company had obtained its renewed authorisation after paying an undisclosed fee, ending a prolonged dispute over its operating permits.
Airtel’s original licence expired in 2015, after which the company relied on permits inherited from YuMobile, which it acquired in 2014.
An out-of-court settlement with the Communications Authority in 2022 paved the way for renewal arrangements, followed by a temporary two-year authorisation running until January 2027 before the new long-term licence was announced.
However, a regulator’s notice dated August 28 indicated that Airtel’s applications for a Network Facilities Provider Tier 1 licence and an International Gateway Systems and Services permit were still under consideration at the time.
With the new spectrum and operating licence, Airtel Kenya is positioned to accelerate its 5G rollout and compete more aggressively for mobile data customers.
The 3500 MHz allocation gives the operator a long-term foundation for expanding network capacity, supporting data-intensive applications and serving customers who require faster connectivity.
