Kenya's 5G market has experienced significant growth, with the number of active subscriptions rising to 2.1 million by June 2026. This represents a 69% increase from June 2025, when there were 1.2 million 5G subscribers. The growth is attributed to the increasing demand for data-intensive services, such as video streaming, cloud computing, and digital payments. According to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), the 5G subscriber base grew steadily, with 170,000 new subscribers added in the April-June quarter.
The CA counts 5G subscribers as customers with compatible devices who are actively connected to a 5G network. The regulator's data shows that 5G subscribers consume significantly more data than 4G and 3G users, with an average consumption of 64.4GB per subscriber during the period. In contrast, 4G subscribers consumed an average of 15.8GB, while 3G subscribers used 8.3GB. This difference in data use reflects the growing popularity of services that require large amounts of data, such as video streaming and online gaming.
Despite the rapid growth of 5G, it remains a small portion of Kenya's overall mobile broadband market. The majority of subscribers continue to rely on 4G, which had about 48 million subscriptions by June. However, the CA notes that mobile broadband made up 85.5% of the total data subscriptions, with 4G and 5G growing alongside a decline in 3G usage. Overall mobile data subscriptions reached 64.3 million during the period, representing a 9.7% increase in 12 months.
Safaricom continued to hold the largest share of Kenya's mobile broadband market, accounting for 64.4% of subscriptions. The operator launched its commercial 5G service in October 2022, after starting trials in March 2021. Airtel Kenya followed with its 5G rollout in 2023. The increase in subscriptions comes as mobile operators continue to invest in network infrastructure and expand high-speed connectivity.
The pace at which 5G expands will depend on several factors, including wider network coverage, access to compatible devices, and the cost of data services. The CA said its quarterly sector statistics are based on information provided by communications service providers and are used to track developments and performance across Kenya's communications industry. Operators are expected to continue expanding high-speed connectivity as they seek to take 5G services beyond Kenya's main urban centres and reach more users.
The growth of 5G in Kenya is also driven by the increasing adoption of digital services, such as mobile payments and online banking. The CA notes that mobile data consumption across 4G and 5G networks maintained an upward trend during the period under review, while 3G data consumption continued to decline. This trend is expected to continue, with more subscribers moving towards faster mobile broadband services as their data needs increase.
As 5G continues to expand in Kenya, the CA and mobile operators will need to address the challenges of affordability and accessibility. The cost of 5G-compatible smartphones and data bundles remains a barrier to wider access, particularly in rural areas. However, with the continued investment in network infrastructure and the growing demand for data-intensive services, 5G is likely to play an increasingly important role in Kenya's digital economy.
Key points
- Kenya's 5G subscriptions hit 2.1 million in June 2026, with a 69% increase from June 2025.
- 5G subscribers consume significantly more data than 4G and 3G users, with an average consumption of 64.4GB per subscriber.
- Safaricom holds the largest share of Kenya's mobile broadband market, accounting for 64.4% of subscriptions.
