The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has reported that there are 78.7 million mobile phone devices on Kenyan networks, representing a 147.6 percent penetration rate. This data was released as part of the CA's third-quarter sector statistics for the 2025/26 financial year, covering January to March 2026. The report highlights the growing importance of mobile technology in Kenya.
Active mobile subscriptions in Kenya have increased by 7.4 percent to 84.1 million, resulting in an overall mobile penetration of 157.7 percent. Prepaid lines account for 96.5 percent of all subscriptions, indicating a strong preference for flexible, pay-as-you-go services. The widespread adoption of mobile subscriptions underscores the significance of mobile technology in everyday life.
Smartphones now account for 63.7 percent of the total devices, with 52.3 million smartphones connected by the end of June 2026. This growth highlights the expanding role of smartphones in finance, education, and business. In contrast, feature-phone connections have declined by 3.7 percent to 28.5 million, while smartphone numbers have grown by 3.0 percent to 50.2 million.
Mobile data subscriptions have increased by one percent to 62.6 million, with 84.4 percent of those on broadband services. Broadband consumption has risen by six percent to 800 million gigabytes, and average use per subscription has climbed to 15.1 GB. This growth in mobile data and broadband usage reflects the increasing demand for high-speed internet access.
Machine-to-machine (M2M) subscriptions have grown by 8.8 percent to two million, and mobile money subscriptions have risen by 3.9 percent to 53.4 million, achieving a 100.1 percent penetration rate. Safaricom has maintained its dominant position, holding 68.9 percent of mobile subscriptions, 62.7 percent of mobile broadband, and an overwhelming 89.1 percent of mobile money users.
The CA has attributed the overall growth in mobile subscriptions and usage to lower device costs, broader high-speed network coverage, and increasing reliance on mobile-based economic and social services. Domestic voice traffic has increased by 2.6 percent to 32.3 billion minutes, while SMS traffic has declined by 2.7 percent to 14 billion messages, reflecting a shift toward internet-based messaging apps.
International voice traffic has risen to 176.4 million incoming and 192.8 million outgoing minutes, although international SMS traffic has declined. The growth in mobile technology has significant implications for Kenya's economy and society, with mobile services playing an increasingly important role in daily life. The CA's report provides valuable insights into the country's mobile ecosystem.
Key points
- Safaricom retains the largest market shares across key categories, including mobile subscriptions, mobile broadband, and mobile money users.
- Mobile data subscriptions have increased, with 84.4 percent of those on broadband services, and broadband consumption has risen to 800 million gigabytes.
- The growth in mobile subscriptions and usage is attributed to lower device costs, broader high-speed network coverage, and increasing reliance on mobile-based economic and social services.
