NOTICE OF INQUIRY INTO THE MERGER INVOLVING VODAFONE KENYA LIMITED AND SAFARICOM PLC
EAC COMPETITION AUTHORITY MERGER INQUIRY NOTICE NO. 1 OF 2026
It is hereby notified in terms of Regulation 8 of the EAC Competition (Mergers and Acquisitions) Regulations, 2025 (hereinafter referred to as the Regulations) that the EAC Competition Authority (the Authority) after receiving a notification in terms of Section 11 of the East African Community Competition (Amendment) Act, 2023 (the Act) involving Vodafone Kenya Limited and Safaricom PLC, intends to embark on an inquiry in terms of Part IV of the Act and Part III of the Regulations.
The Transaction involves the proposed acquisition of 15% shareholding in Safaricom PLC by Vodafone Kenya Limited, a subsidiary of Vodacom Group, together with the associated intra-group restructuring by Vodafone International Holdings B.V. of its interest in Vodafone Kenya.
Vodacom Group (Vodacom) is the acquiring undertaking. Vodacom through its holding company and subsidiary, Vodafone Kenya Limited, an undertaking company registered in the Republic of Kenya is involved in the provision of mobile telecommunications and mobile financial services. Vodacom operates in the following Partner States: the Democratic Republic of Congo and the United Republic of Tanzania. Vodacom operates in the Republic of Kenya as Safaricom.
Safaricom PLC, the target undertaking, is an undertaking incorporated in the Republic of Kenya and is involved in the provision of mobile telecommunications, fixed broadband and mobile financial services. Safaricom PLC operates in the Republic of Kenya.
The Authority shall, in accordance with the provisions of the Act and Regulations determine, among other things, whether or not the merger is likely to substantially lessen competition within the Community. In view of this, the Authority hereby gives notice to all interested stakeholders, including competitors, suppliers and customers of the merging parties to submit written representations to the Authority with regard to the subject matter of the proposed inquiry by emailing them to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. All written representations should be sent to the Authority not later than February 16, 2026.
If you wish to seek further details and/ or clarifications on any aspect of this proposed transaction, you may get in touch with the Deputy Registrar, Mergers and Acquisitions, Mr. Vincent Okoth on +255 27 216 2100 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
All written representations submitted to the Authority will be treated with the strictest confidentiality and will only be used for the purpose of this inquiry.
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