Android Developer

Safaricom PLC

Nairobifull time~KES 180k – 280k/mo3w ago

Quick Take

The Role

Build and maintain high-impact Android apps like M-Pesa and MySafaricom, integrating with Safaricom APIs and optimising performance for millions of Kenyan users.

You Need

At least 3 years of Android development experience with strong Kotlin/Java skills and solid knowledge of MVVM architecture and Jetpack libraries.

You Get

A rare opportunity to shape apps used by tens of millions of people daily, at Kenya's most iconic tech company, with an above-market salary of up to KES 280,000/month.

Job Description

•Role Overview

Safaricom PLC is looking for a talented Android Developer to join its mobile engineering team based in Nairobi. This is an exciting opportunity to work on some of Kenya's most widely used mobile applications, including M-Pesa and MySafaricom — platforms that serve millions of users across the country every single day.

As part of this team, you will play a hands-on role in shaping the mobile experience for a vast and diverse user base, working closely with designers and fellow engineers to deliver high-quality, reliable Android solutions that meet the unique demands of the Kenyan market.

•Key Responsibilities

Develop and maintain consumer-facing Android applications, including M-Pesa and the MySafaricom app
Build seamless integrations with Safaricom's suite of APIs, covering services such as M-Pesa, Bonga Points, and airtime top-up functionality
Work hand-in-hand with UX designers to craft intuitive and engaging mobile user experiences
Write clean, well-structured, and testable code while actively participating in peer code review sessions
Identify and implement performance optimisations tailored for entry-level and low-end Android devices that are prevalent among Kenyan users

•Required Skills & Experience

A minimum of three years of hands-on Android application development experience
Strong command of both Kotlin and Java programming languages
Demonstrated experience working with MVVM architecture patterns and Android Jetpack libraries
Solid understanding of RESTful API integration and working with JSON data formats
Prior experience publishing apps on the Google Play Store is an added advantage

•Who Should Apply

This role is best suited for a results-driven Android developer who is passionate about building impactful mobile products at scale. You should be comfortable working in a fast-paced, collaborative engineering environment and have a genuine interest in creating digital solutions that improve everyday life for Kenyan consumers. If you take pride in writing quality code, enjoy solving performance challenges on resource-constrained devices, and have a track record of shipping polished Android applications, Safaricom wants to hear from you.

•How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should apply through Safaricom PLC's official recruitment channels. Ensure your application highlights your relevant Android development experience, links to any published apps on the Google Play Store, and demonstrates your proficiency with the technologies listed above. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Requirements Breakdown

Must Have

3+ years of professional Android development experience
Proficiency in both Kotlin and Java
Experience with MVVM architecture and Android Jetpack libraries
Strong understanding of RESTful APIs and JSON data handling
Ability to write clean, testable, review-ready code

Nice to Have

Published apps on the Google Play Store
Experience optimising apps for low-end or entry-level Android devices
Familiarity with Safaricom APIs (M-Pesa, Bonga Points, airtime)
Prior experience collaborating with UX/UI designers in an agile environment

Don't meet every requirement? Tailor your CV to close the gap →

Salary Context

Above market rate for a mid-senior Android Developer in Nairobi

Android Developers in Nairobi typically earn between KES 80,000 and KES 200,000 per month depending on experience and employer size, making Safaricom's range of KES 180,000–280,000 highly competitive and skewed toward senior talent. Factors that push pay higher in this field include fintech or mobile money experience, published apps with large user bases, and employment at tier-one corporates or MNCs.

About Safaricom PLC

Safaricom PLC is Kenya's largest telecommunications company and one of the most profitable businesses in sub-Saharan Africa, best known for pioneering M-Pesa — the mobile money platform that transformed financial inclusion across Africa and is now used by over 30 million customers. As a publicly listed company on the Nairobi Securities Exchange with a growing presence in Ethiopia, Safaricom sits at the intersection of telecoms, fintech, and digital services. Working here means building products at genuine national scale, with the resources, brand recognition, and engineering culture to match.

Likely Interview Questions

1
Walk us through the architecture of an Android app you've built — why did you choose that structure and what would you do differently today?
2
How have you optimised an Android app for low-end devices with limited RAM or older Android versions?
3
Describe your experience integrating with third-party or internal REST APIs — how do you handle authentication, errors, and latency?
4
How do you approach writing unit and instrumentation tests for Android, and what testing frameworks have you used?
5
M-Pesa handles real-time financial transactions at massive scale — how would you ensure reliability and security when integrating a payments API into an Android app?

Application Tips

Lead your CV with any apps you've published on Google Play Store — include download counts or ratings if available, as Safaricom will value demonstrated real-world impact.
Highlight any experience with financial or payments integrations, especially mobile money or API-driven transactions, since M-Pesa is central to this role.
Showcase your knowledge of performance optimisation for low-spec Android devices — mention specific techniques like reducing APK size, lazy loading, or efficient memory management to stand out from candidates focused purely on high-end development.

Career Path

Roles that lead here

Junior Android Developer

Mobile Software Engineer (2–3 years experience)

YOU

Where this leads

Senior Android Developer

Mobile Engineering Lead / Android Tech Lead

Skills & Keywords

AndroidKotlinJavaREST APIsM-Pesa SDK

Honest Assessment

Green Flags

Safaricom is one of Kenya's most reputable and financially stable employers, offering strong job security and a recognised brand on any CV.
The salary range of KES 180,000–280,000/month is well above the Nairobi market average for this role, signalling that the company values engineering talent.
Working on apps like M-Pesa with tens of millions of active users provides rare, high-scale engineering experience that is globally transferable.
The explicit focus on low-end device optimisation shows the team is solving real, Africa-specific engineering challenges — meaningful and technically stretching work.

Watch Out

The job description does not mention remote or hybrid work options, which may be a concern for candidates who prefer flexible arrangements — worth clarifying before accepting an offer.
No mention of specific team size, agile processes, or release cadence, making it difficult to gauge the pace and pressure of the engineering environment.

A Day in the Life

☀️

A typical week starts with a sprint planning or stand-up meeting with the mobile engineering squad, reviewing tickets tied to upcoming M-Pesa or MySafaricom feature releases. Mid-week you might be deep in Kotlin, implementing a new Bonga Points redemption flow using Jetpack Compose, writing unit tests, and submitting a pull request for peer code review. By Thursday you're in a cross-functional session with UX designers reviewing Figma prototypes and flagging Android-specific constraints, before wrapping the week by profiling app performance on a budget Android handset to ensure smooth UX for users across Kenya's diverse device landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications do I need to become an Android Developer at Safaricom PLC?

You need at least 3 years of Android development experience, strong proficiency in Kotlin and Java, and hands-on experience with MVVM architecture and Jetpack libraries. Having a published app on the Google Play Store is an added advantage.

Is the Android Developer role at Safaricom PLC remote or office-based?

The role is listed as based in Nairobi with no mention of remote or hybrid options, so candidates should expect an on-site or office-first arrangement — it is worth confirming the exact policy during the interview process.

How much does an Android Developer earn at Safaricom PLC?

The posted salary range is KES 180,000 to KES 280,000 per month, which is above the typical Nairobi market rate for this role and reflects the seniority and impact expected of the position.

What are the career growth opportunities for an Android Developer at Safaricom PLC?

This role offers a strong platform to grow into a Senior Android Developer or Mobile Engineering Lead, especially given the scale and complexity of products like M-Pesa — experience here is also highly regarded by international tech employers.

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