Airtel Hits Back with Smarta Bundles After Safaricom’s Dabo Dabo Offer – A Full Breakdown
Admin Kenya’s telecom war has just intensified! After Safaricom rolled out its Dabo Dabo offer, which gives customers double rewards on purchases, Airtel has responded aggressively with its new Smarta Bundles. These two deals are shaking up the market, offering customers more value for their money.
So, which one is the better deal? Let’s break it down.
Airtel Smarta Bundles: More for Less
Airtel launched Smarta Bundles on 13th February 2025 as a monthly package designed to give customers more data, minutes, and SMS at a fixed price. The offer is available on *544# and *334# for both new and existing Airtel subscribers.
Smarta Bundles Packages
Ksh 1000 Smarta Bundle
- 400 minutes to any network
- 100 Airtel-to-Airtel minutes daily (3000 per month)
- 1GB of data daily (30GB per month, with rollover)
- 2000 SMS per month
Ksh 1500 Smarta Bundle
- 900 minutes to any network
- 100 Airtel-to-Airtel minutes daily (3000 per month)
- 2GB of data daily (60GB per month, with rollover)
- 5000 SMS per month
What Makes Smarta Bundles Unique?
- No more expiry worries – Unlike regular bundles, Smarta Bundles offer consistent daily allocations.
- Financial benefits – Customers get a 100% refund on Paybill transaction fees, plus free Buy Goods, P2P transfers, and cash withdrawals.
- Flexibility – Unlike Airtel Premier, Smarta Bundles do not auto-renew, allowing customers to opt in only when needed.
- Aggressive marketing push – Expect TV, radio, social media, SMS campaigns, and physical marketing materials promoting the new bundles.
Safaricom Dabo Dabo: Double Rewards, Instant Gratification
Safaricom’s Dabo Dabo offer is a promotional deal that doubles customers’ purchases across airtime, data, and select devices.
How Dabo Dabo Works
- Double Airtime – Buy Ksh 100 airtime and get Ksh 200 worth.
- Double Data – Buy 2GB of data and get an extra 2GB for free.
- Double Devices – Some smartphones come with a second device or extra data bundles.
What Makes Dabo Dabo Unique?
- Instant rewards – Customers get double benefits immediately upon purchase.
- More flexibility – Unlike Smarta Bundles, you are not locked into a monthly plan.
- Encourages spending – The more you buy, the more you get back in rewards.
Smarta Bundles vs. Dabo Dabo: Which One Wins?
| Feature | Airtel Smarta Bundles | Safaricom Dabo Dabo |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Ksh 1000 or Ksh 1500 monthly | No fixed price, depends on purchase |
| Minutes & SMS | Up to 900 mins + 5000 SMS | Regular Safaricom rates apply |
| Data | 1GB/day (30GB) or 2GB/day (60GB) | Double your purchased data |
| Financial Perks | Free P2P, Buy Goods, and transaction refunds | None |
| Expiry | No expiry worries, optional renewal | Standard bundle expiry applies |
| Reward System | Predefined package with lots of value | Instant double rewards on purchases |
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?
- If you’re a heavy user of data, minutes, and SMS, Smarta Bundles provide the best monthly value with no expiry stress.
- If you prefer instant double rewards on airtime, data, or devices, Dabo Dabo is a great short-term deal.
Both offers have their strengths. While Airtel is pushing Smarta Bundles as a long-term lifestyle package, Safaricom is rewarding customers instantly with Dabo Dabo.
Who Will Win the Market?
Both telecom giants are competing fiercely to offer better deals, and ultimately, Kenyan consumers are the biggest winners. Whether Smarta Bundles’ affordability and financial benefits will steal the show or Dabo Dabo’s instant rewards will drive more spending remains to be seen.
What do you think? Which offer works best for you? Let us know in the comments!
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