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Updated 30 October 2026
Safaricom has moved more than a third of its network sites from diesel generators to solar power. The switch is meant to cut a diesel bill now worth about KSh2.3 billion a year, as pump prices sit at a record high. The figures come from the company’s disclosure, as reported by the Daily Nation on 29 October 2026.
Safaricom solar in numbers
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Sites switched to solar, year to March 2026 | 596 |
| Total solar-powered sites | 2,028 (35.7% of masts) |
| Diesel use | Down from 10.47m to 10.08m litres |
| Energy cost saving | About KSh16.4m a month, or KSh196m a year |
| Diesel share of operating costs | 3.2%, down from 3.5% |
| Target | 3,000 solar sites by March 2027 |
Why diesel matters
The Nation reports that diesel has risen from KSh166 to about KSh227 a litre, a record, after the Middle East conflict pushed up oil prices. EPRA’s current Nairobi cap for diesel is KSh227.76. Safaricom said rising diesel prices “reinforc[ed] both the financial and environmental case” for relying less on generators. Kenya Power still supplies 78% of its energy, and solar supplies 5%.
What it means for businesses
Any business that runs generators faces the same pressure. Safaricom’s saving of almost 10% of its diesel spend shows why solar is worth pricing for sites that use a lot of fuel. Related: Safaricom’s M-Pesa growth plans and diesel price pass-through in Kenya.
Fuel market context
Under EPRA’s cycle for 15 October to 14 November 2026, the maximum Nairobi retail prices are KSh226.96 a litre for super petrol, KSh227.76 for diesel and KSh219.87 for kerosene. In the October review, diesel rose by KSh9.90 a litre. Independent fuel dealers also say oil marketers are selling above EPRA’s wholesale caps, and they have threatened to stop buying from them. That dispute could make supply harder for heavy diesel users.
Safaricom’s plan to reach 3,000 solar sites by March 2027 would put more than half of its network on solar power. That would leave fewer masts exposed to swings in fuel prices. Safaricom shares closed at KSh33.25 on the NSE on 29 October 2026.
FAQ
How many Safaricom sites run on solar?
2,028 sites, or 35.7% of its masts, as of March 2026.
How much diesel does Safaricom use?
About 10.08 million litres a year, worth roughly KSh2.3 billion at current prices.
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