Opera Mini, Safaricom renew partnership offering free 1.5GB data to customers

Opera Mini users on the Safaricom network will now receive 1.5GB of free browsing data every month, following the renewal of a partnership between the two companies aimed at expanding digital inclusion in Kenya.

The collaboration, announced on Wednesday, allows both new and existing users to automatically access the sponsored data once they update or open the latest version of the Opera Mini browser.

The move is part of a broader push to support affordable internet access at a time when Kenya’s digital economy continues to grow.

Opera says the campaign has already driven substantial growth in usage, with monthly average users in Kenya rising by 13% and nearly half of Kenyan internet users now relying on Opera Mini as their primary browser.

“Our partnership with Safaricom aims to give every Kenyan the ability to connect to the web, learn, and create – without worrying about data limits,” said Jørgen Arnesen, EVP of Mobile at Opera.

“Opera Mini is the smart choice for anyone who wants to stay connected while making data-conscious decisions.”

Safaricom has also recorded increased browser activity from its customers since the campaign’s restart, with Opera Mini noting a 93% rise in daily active users and a 55% increase in page loads.

“This collaboration demonstrates our commitment to delivering meaningful value to our customers. By enabling 1.5GB of free browsing each month through Opera Mini, we are empowering millions of Kenyans to access the opportunities the internet provides,” said Fawzia Ali-Kimanthi, Safaricom’s Chief Consumer Business Officer.

The renewed agreement comes as data consumption in the country surges.

According to the Communications Authority, Kenya had 58.5 million data subscriptions as of June 30, 2025 — a 27.3% jump compared to the previous year.

To meet growing demand, Opera says it has invested in regional infrastructure, including a data centre in Nairobi, to improve loading speeds and ensure more stable browsing even on low-bandwidth connections.

The company has also integrated free, unlimited AI tools directly into the browser, enabling users to write, translate, search and summarise without incurring additional data costs. Opera Mini’s data-saving capabilities, including compression technology, a download manager and offline reading options, allow users to cut data usage by up to 90%.

With a personalised news feed, built-in ad blocker and real-time sports updates, Opera Mini says it is positioning itself as the go-to browser for Kenya’s increasingly digital and AI-driven generation.