The new prefixes became available from August 10, 2026, as Safaricom expands its numbering capacity to accommodate continued demand for mobile services.
The nine new prefixes are:
- 0118
- 0119
- 0140
- 0141
- 0142
- 0143
- 0180
- 0181
- 0182
Customers can obtain numbers from these new ranges at Safaricom Shops and authorised dealer outlets across Kenya.
Full List of the New Safaricom Prefixes
| New Prefix | Network |
|---|---|
| 0118 | Safaricom |
| 0119 | Safaricom |
| 0140 | Safaricom |
| 0141 | Safaricom |
| 0142 | Safaricom |
| 0143 | Safaricom |
| 0180 | Safaricom |
| 0181 | Safaricom |
| 0182 | Safaricom |
The new ranges add up to nine million potential numbers, since each four-digit mobile prefix can provide up to one million numbers when followed by six digits.
Why Is Safaricom Adding New Prefixes?
Kenya’s mobile market has grown substantially, and Safaricom remains the country’s largest mobile operator.
The Communications Authority of Kenya’s January–March 2026 sector statistics put Safaricom at approximately 57.9 million active mobile subscriptions, while Kenya’s total active SIM subscriptions reached about 84.1 million.
With millions of Kenyans using multiple SIM cards and mobile services becoming increasingly important for communication, mobile money, internet access and digital services, operators need enough numbering resources to issue new lines.
The new prefixes therefore provide additional room for Safaricom to register new customers.
What Do the New Prefixes Mean for Kenyans?
For most customers, the change is straightforward.
If you get a Safaricom number beginning with 0118, 0119, 0140, 0141, 0142, 0143, 0180, 0181 or 0182, it is a normal Safaricom mobile line.
There is no separate service or special network associated with these numbers.
Customers with the new prefixes can use Safaricom’s normal mobile services, subject to the services available on their line and account.
Do Existing Safaricom Customers Need to Change Their Numbers?
No.
The introduction of the new prefixes is intended to provide additional numbers for new customers.
Existing Safaricom customers do not need to replace their current numbers simply because the company has introduced additional prefixes.
Your existing 07XX or older 01XX Safaricom number continues to work normally.
Why Are Some Safaricom Numbers Starting With 01?
For many years, Kenyans became accustomed to Safaricom numbers beginning with 07, particularly famous prefixes such as 070, 071 and 072.
However, Kenya’s numbering resources are not unlimited.
The 01XX numbering series was introduced as additional capacity as the traditional 07XX ranges became increasingly constrained.
Safaricom previously introduced 0110 and 0111, followed by 0112, 0113, 0114 and 0115. The latest release adds 0118 and 0119, alongside the new 014X and 018X ranges.
The 014X and 018X Prefixes Are Especially Interesting
Two parts of the latest release stand out.
Safaricom has introduced:
0140–0143
and
0180–0182
These are new combinations within Kenya’s mobile numbering landscape.
The expansion shows that mobile numbering is moving beyond the familiar 07XX format that many Kenyans have known for decades.
Can You Get One of the New Numbers Now?
Yes.
Safaricom says the new number ranges are available through its Safaricom Shops and authorised dealer outlets.
However, the exact numbers available will depend on the inventory at a particular outlet.
If you specifically want an 0118, 0142 or 0181 number, for example, you may need to check several authorised outlets depending on availability.
Are the New Prefixes Only for Calls and SMS?
No.
A mobile number in Kenya is now much more than a way to make calls.
A single number can be connected to:
- Mobile data
- M-PESA
- Banking services
- Social-media accounts
- Online shopping accounts
- Two-factor authentication
- Business accounts
- Government and other digital services
That makes the mobile number an important part of a person’s digital identity.
Be Careful When Getting a New SIM
Anyone registering a new mobile line should make sure they use an official Safaricom Shop or authorised dealer.
You should also avoid sharing sensitive information such as:
- M-PESA PIN
- One-time passwords
- Banking passwords
- SIM replacement codes
- Account recovery codes
Once a mobile number becomes connected to financial and online accounts, protecting control of the SIM becomes increasingly important.
What About Mobile Number Portability?
One important detail is that a prefix should not always be treated as a permanent guarantee of the network currently serving a number.
Kenya has mobile number portability, which allows subscribers to change operators while retaining their existing phone numbers.
Therefore, a prefix primarily tells you about the number range in which the number was originally allocated rather than guaranteeing which network currently serves it.
Why This Matters for Safaricom
The introduction of nine new prefixes is more than a cosmetic change to phone numbers.
It reflects the scale of Kenya’s mobile market.
Safaricom has tens of millions of mobile subscriptions, while Kenyans increasingly rely on mobile networks for internet access, mobile payments, communication and digital services.
Additional numbering capacity gives the company more room to issue new lines as demand continues.
It also comes at a time when Kenya’s overall mobile market is experiencing substantial activity.
The Communications Authority reported 84.1 million active SIM subscriptions in the January–March 2026 period, equivalent to a mobile penetration rate of more than 150 percent. Multiple-SIM ownership is a major reason the number of active SIMs can exceed the country’s population.
Safaricom’s Numbering Journey
Safaricom’s numbering history reflects the rapid expansion of mobile communication in Kenya.
The company became strongly associated with the 07XX series, particularly the 072X range.
As demand increased, additional 07XX ranges were introduced.
The 01XX series subsequently became an important source of additional numbering capacity.
Safaricom introduced:
- 0110
- 0111
- 0112
- 0113
- 0114
- 0115
The latest release adds:
- 0118
- 0119
- 0140
- 0141
- 0142
- 0143
- 0180
- 0181
- 0182
This means customers will increasingly encounter Safaricom numbers that look different from the traditional 07XX numbers.
The Bottom Line
Safaricom has expanded its mobile numbering capacity with nine new prefixes: 0118, 0119, 0140, 0141, 0142, 0143, 0180, 0181 and 0182.
The numbers are available to new customers through Safaricom Shops and authorised dealer outlets.
For existing customers, there is nothing they need to do.
The bigger story is that Kenya’s mobile ecosystem continues to expand, with phone numbers now serving as gateways to communication, mobile money, internet access and a growing range of digital services.
So, the next time you see a Safaricom number beginning with 0118, 0119, 0140 or 0180, don’t assume it is unusual.
It is part of Safaricom’s newest generation of mobile number ranges in Kenya.
