Vodafone (VOD) completes Safaricom deal as Vodacom lifts stake to 55%

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Vodafone Group has completed a major step in its African strategy as subsidiary Vodacom Group Ltd acquired an additional effective 20% of Safaricom Plc, raising its stake to 55% and gaining control.

Vodacom bought 15% of Safaricom from the Government of Kenya for a cash consideration of KES 204 billion (€1.36 billion) and 5% from Vodafone for KES 68 billion (€0.45 billion). Safaricom will now be fully consolidated by both Vodacom and Vodafone, bringing one of Africa’s leading telecoms and financial services businesses under their control.

Vodafone highlights its broader scale, serving around 370 million mobile and broadband customers, operating networks in 15 countries, over 240 million IoT connections, and providing financial services to about 103 million customers across seven African markets.

Positive

• Control of Safaricom secured: Vodacom’s effective stake in Safaricom rises to 55%, giving Vodafone and Vodacom controlling ownership and enabling full consolidation of one of Africa’s most successful telecoms and financial services businesses.

Negative

• None.

Insights

Telecom M&A and emerging markets analyst

Vodafone secures control of Safaricom through a 20% stake purchase.

Vodacom has acquired an effective 20% of Safaricom, lifting its holding to 55%. The deal involves KES 204 billion for a 15% stake from the Government of Kenya and KES 68 billion for 5% from Vodafone itself.

This cash-funded transaction gives both Vodacom and Vodafone controlling ownership and allows full consolidation of Safaricom, a leading African telecoms and financial services operator. Consolidation typically means Safaricom’s revenue, profit and balance sheet will be included line-by-line in group accounts.

The strategic significance comes from Safaricom’s strong position in African connectivity and financial services, aligned with Vodafone’s existing base of around 370 million customers and 103 million financial services users. The ultimate financial impact will depend on Safaricom’s performance in future reporting periods.

Key Figures

Stake acquired: 20% of Safaricom share capital Post-transaction stake: 55% of Safaricom Government of Kenya stake purchase: KES 204 billion (€1.36 billion) +4 more

7 metrics

Stake acquired 20% of Safaricom share capital Effective stake acquired by Vodacom, increasing holding to 55%

Post-transaction stake 55% of Safaricom Vodacom’s effective shareholding after the acquisition

Government of Kenya stake purchase KES 204 billion (€1.36 billion) Cash consideration for 15% of Safaricom

Vodafone stake purchase KES 68 billion (€0.45 billion) Cash consideration for 5% of Safaricom

Customer base Around 370 million customers Vodafone mobile and broadband customers served

IoT connections Over 240 million IoT connections Size of Vodafone’s global IoT platform

Financial services users Around 103 million customers Vodafone financial services customers across seven African countries

Key Terms

fully consolidated, cash consideration, issued share capital, foreign private issuer, +1 more

5 terms

fully consolidated financial

"Safaricom will now be fully consolidated by both Vodacom and Vodafone"

cash consideration financial

"for a cash consideration of KES 204 billion (€1.36 billion1)"

Cash consideration is the actual money paid to buy a company, asset, or stake rather than payment in shares or other forms. For investors it matters because cash payments deliver immediate, certain value and affect the buyer’s and seller’s cash reserves and balance sheets—like selling a car for cash versus taking a trade-in, one side gets instant spending power while the other changes its liquidity and risk profile.

issued share capital financial

"acquisition of an effective 20% of the issued share capital in Safaricom Plc"

Issued share capital is the total value or number of a company's shares that have been created and given to investors, employees or others; think of it as the slices of a cake that have already been cut and distributed. It matters to investors because it determines ownership percentages, potential voting power and how future share sales can dilute existing holdings, affecting share value and control.

foreign private issuer regulatory

"REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULES 13a-16 OR 15d-16"

A foreign private issuer is a company organized outside the United States that meets tests showing it is primarily foreign-controlled and therefore qualifies for a different set of U.S. reporting rules. For investors, that means the company files less frequent or differently formatted disclosures with U.S. regulators and may follow home-country accounting and governance practices, so buying its stock is like dining at a well-reviewed restaurant that follows its home kitchen’s rules instead of the local menu — you get access but should check what standards apply.

Form 6-K regulatory

"This Report on Form 6-K contains a Stock Exchange Announcement"

A Form 6-K is a report that companies listed in certain countries file to provide important updates, such as financial results, corporate changes, or other significant information, to regulators and investors. It functions like an official company update or news release, helping investors stay informed about developments that could affect their investment decisions.

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Available on EDGAR 06/30/2026 - 10:54 AM Accepted by SEC EDGAR 06/30/2026 - 10:53 AM Learn about SEC filing dates

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULES 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Dated June 30, 2026

Commission File Number: 001-10086

VODAFONE GROUP

PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

VODAFONE HOUSE, THE CONNECTION, NEWBURY, BERKSHIRE, RG14 2FN, ENGLAND

(Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F ✓    Form 40-F   

THIS REPORT ON FORM 6-K SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN EACH OF THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM F-3 (FILE NO. 333-273441), THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8 (FILE NO. 333-81825) AND THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8 (FILE NO. 333-149634) OF VODAFONE GROUP PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY AND TO BE A PART THEREOF FROM THE DATE ON WHICH THIS REPORT IS FURNISHED, TO THE EXTENT NOT SUPERSEDED BY DOCUMENTS OR REPORTS SUBSEQUENTLY FILED OR FURNISHED.

This Report on Form 6-K contains a Stock Exchange Announcement dated June 30, 2026 entitled ‘Vodafone completes Safaricom transaction’

30 JUNE 2026

Vodafone completes Safaricom transaction

Further to the announcement on 4 December 2025, Vodafone Group Plc (“Vodafone”) announces that its African subsidiary, Vodacom Group Ltd (“Vodacom”) has completed the acquisition of an effective 20% of the issued share capital in Safaricom Plc (“Safaricom”), increasing its shareholding to 55%.

Vodacom acquired 15% from the Government of Kenya for a cash consideration of KES 204 billion (€1.36 billion¹) and 5% from Vodafone² for a cash consideration of KES 68 billion (€0.45 billion¹).

Safaricom will now be fully consolidated by both Vodacom and Vodafone, which gain controlling ownership of one of Africa’s most successful telecoms and financial services businesses.

- ends -

Notes

1. Based on foreign exchange rate of 1 Euro:150.5 Kenyan shilling.

2. Vodafone, through its subsidiary Vodafone International Holdings B.V., sold its remaining 12.5% stake in Vodafone Kenya Limited (equivalent to an effective 5% stake in Safaricom) to Vodacom.

For more information, please contact:
Investor Relations:		vodafone.com		ir@vodafone.co.uk		Media Relations:		Vodafone.com/media/contact		GroupMedia@vodafone.com
Registered Office: Vodafone House, The Connection, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2FN, England. Registered in England No. 1833679

About Vodafone

Vodafone is a leading European and African telecoms company.

We serve around 370 million mobile and broadband customers, operating networks in 15 countries with investments in a further four and partners in over 40 more. We have capacity on more than 70 subsea cable systems - the backbone of the internet - and we are developing a new direct-to-mobile satellite communications service to connect areas without coverage. Vodafone runs one of the world’s largest IoT platforms, with over 240 million IoT connections globally, and we provide financial services to around 103 million customers across seven African countries - managing more transactions than any other provider.

From the seabed to the stars, Vodafone’s purpose is to keep everyone connected.

For more information, please visit www.vodafone.com follow us on X at @VodafoneGroup or connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/vodafone.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorised.

				VODAFONE GROUP
				PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
				(Registrant)
Date:  June 30, 2026				By:		/s/ M D B
				Name:		Maaike de Bie
				Title:		Group General Counsel and Company Secretary

FAQ

What transaction did Vodafone (VOD) complete with Safaricom?

Vodafone’s African subsidiary Vodacom completed the acquisition of an effective 20% stake in Safaricom, raising its shareholding to 55%. This gives Vodafone and Vodacom controlling ownership and allows Safaricom to be fully consolidated in their financial statements.

How much did Vodacom pay to increase its Safaricom stake to 55%?

Vodacom paid KES 204 billion (€1.36 billion) for a 15% stake from the Government of Kenya and KES 68 billion (€0.45 billion) for a 5% stake from Vodafone. The total cash consideration reflects Safaricom’s importance in Vodafone’s African portfolio.

Who sold Safaricom shares to Vodacom in this Vodafone (VOD) deal?

Vodacom acquired 15% of Safaricom from the Government of Kenya and 5% from Vodafone. After these transactions, Vodacom’s effective shareholding increased to 55%, giving Vodafone and Vodacom controlling ownership of Safaricom’s telecoms and financial services operations.

What does full consolidation of Safaricom mean for Vodafone (VOD)?

Full consolidation means Safaricom’s financial results will be included line-by-line in Vodacom and Vodafone’s accounts. This typically affects reported revenue, profit and assets, reflecting Safaricom’s contribution as a controlled subsidiary rather than as an equity-accounted investment.

How does Safaricom fit into Vodafone’s broader African strategy?

Safaricom strengthens Vodafone’s position as a major European and African telecoms company. Vodafone serves about 370 million mobile and broadband customers, runs over 240 million IoT connections, and provides financial services to roughly 103 million African customers across seven countries.

What type of company is Safaricom within the Vodafone (VOD) group?

Safaricom is described as one of Africa’s most successful telecoms and financial services businesses. By obtaining a 55% stake, Vodacom and Vodafone gain controlling ownership of a key regional operator with strong positions in connectivity and digital financial services.