Safaricom announced today that it is offering a managed software‑defined wide‑area networking (SD‑WAN) service that overlays existing fibre, MPLS, internet and 4G/5G connections with a central software layer.

The service is built on Huawei equipment and is sold as a subscription, with Safaricom supplying and managing the hardware rather than requiring customers to purchase it outright.

Pricing is structured in branch and hub packages on 12‑, 24‑ or 36‑month terms; the entry‑level Basic Branch package starts at KSh12,000 per month for a 12‑month term, dropping to KSh6,400 for a 36‑month term, while the Basic Hub starts at KSh52,100 per month for 12 months and falls to KSh22,500 for 36 months.

Higher‑tier hub options add next‑generation firewall capabilities, priced at KSh269,600 per month on a 12‑month term and KSh109,700 on a 36‑month term; connectivity charges are billed separately from the SD‑WAN subscription.

Safaricom says the service can prioritize traffic by application, bandwidth, latency and security needs, allowing, for example, an ERP system to receive higher priority over general web browsing and to be routed over the most suitable link.

The platform can use multiple links simultaneously, automatically shifting traffic if a connection degrades, rather than relying on a primary‑backup model that leaves secondary capacity idle.

Safaricom plans to conduct on‑site assessments after launch to map each customer’s branch, hub, connectivity and security requirements before configuring the service.

The company clarified that SD‑WAN is not intended to replace MPLS but can complement it, allowing existing MPLS circuits to remain part of a broader multi‑link configuration.

Security features vary by package; higher tiers include threat protection and next‑generation firewall functions, and the service uses 256‑bit encryption with optional VPN/IPsec integration.