Safaricom to launch 5G network in Nairobi, Western Kenya

Safaricom will launch Kenya’s first 5G network tomorrow, in Nairobi and Western Kenya. The 5G network is expected to be 20 times faster than the current 4G network. The initial rollout will cover only Nairobi and the country’s Western region that includes Kisumu, Kisii, and Bungoma.

The 5G technology will be supplied by Huawei and Nokia. In an invitation to the press, Safaricom said, “Safaricom will be the first operator in East Africa to launch 5G services and will be showcasing the capabilities of the network with the aid of Huawei and Nokia’s technologies.”

The telco sees the rollout of the 5G technology as a key part of its plan to further expand its data business. The launch of the latest technology comes a little over five years after the unveiling of the 4G network.