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Kenya’s Digital Growth Surge: Smartphones, Mobile Money & Cyber Threats on the Rise

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Insights At a Glance:

  • SIM subscriptions hit 76.16 million; smartphone usage now at 80.8%.
  • Mobile money subscribers reach 45.36 million.
  • Mobile broadband subscriptions: 44.44 million and growing.
  • Cyber threats spike to 2.5 billion; KE-CIRT responds with 13.2M advisories.
  • Postal services decline, while courier and data services rise.

If it feels like more Kenyans are glued to their screens, tapping into M-PESA, watching TikToks, or ordering dinner online, it’s because they are. The latest report from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) covering January to March 2025 paints a clear picture: Kenya’s digital ecosystem isn’t just growing—it’s thriving, evolving, and, at times, battling digital threats head-on.

SIMs, Smartphones, and Surging Subscriptions

Kenya now boasts 76.16 million mobile (SIM) subscriptions, marking a 6.7% growth and pushing mobile penetration to a staggering 145.3%. Yes, that’s more SIM cards than people—blame dual-SIM phones, business lines, and people with multiple SIM cards from various mobile operators. Yours truly among them.

In a country where phones double as banks, classrooms, and shops, it’s no surprise smartphone usage is surging. 42.35 million smartphones were active by March 2025 (up 2.1%), compared to 32.57 million feature phones (up 6.5%). The smartphone penetration now stands at 80.8%, underscoring just how central these pocket computers have become in everyday Kenyan life.

Mobile Money Powers Inclusion

Forget the bank queues. With 45.36 million mobile money subscriptions (up 7.2%) and over 416,000 agents serving across the country, Kenya’s love affair with mobile cash is only deepening. Whether it’s buying eggs, paying rent, or sending school fees, the mobile wallet is king.

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More Data, More Browsing

Internet access is steadily becoming a human right, and Kenyans are not being left behind. The country now has 57.18 million mobile data subscriptions (a 1.9% increase) and 44.44 million broadband subscriptions, thanks largely to growing 4G and 5G adoption.

The data-hungry nation consumed over 576,000 terabytes in mobile broadband during the quarter. But interestingly, the average data usage per user dipped slightly—perhaps a signal of more users joining the digital bandwagon, even if their usage is modest.

Voice & SMS Still Have Their Say

Kenya may be a WhatsApp-first nation, but traditional calls and SMS aren’t obsolete. Domestic voice minutes clocked 28.88 billion, while 14.3 billion SMSs flew across networks. Most calls and messages are still on-net (within the same network), though off-net activity is growing.

International voice traffic grew too, with incoming calls up 14.4%, while international SMSs dropped sharply—further proof that globe-trotting Kenyans prefer WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger over pricey international texts.

Data Roaming and Digital Borders

Roaming data usage by visitors to Kenya jumped 10.6%, hinting at a tourism rebound or more regional business travel. Neighbours like Uganda and Tanzania led the pack in voice and data roaming, showing strong East African digital ties.

A Post Office on Life Support?

It’s not all rosy. Kenya’s traditional postal service took a major hit. Domestic letters plunged 82.1%, and parcels dropped 25.5%. Why? Because no one’s mailing birthday cards anymore—online shopping and courier services like G4S, Wells Fargo, and even the likes of Easy Coach and co. have taken over.

Cybersecurity: The Dark Side of Digital Growth

Kenya’s growing online presence comes with rising cyber threats. The CA’s report shows a staggering 2.5 billion cyber threats detected, a 201.7% spike in just one quarter. System vulnerabilities, malware, brute force attacks, and DDoS attempts top the list. Fortunately, 13.2 million advisories were issued, a testament to the vigilance of the National Kenya Computer Incident Response Team (KE-CIRT).

The Dot.ke Boom

Kenya’s digital identity is also spreading. There are now 109,251 registered .KE domains up from 108,
154, mostly from companies and organizations. However, personal web presence under ME.KE has cratered—down 89.5%, possibly thanks to social media and platforms like Linktree doing the job better for individuals.

Bottom line? Kenya is going full throttle into the digital future—with more smartphones, mobile money, and broadband users than ever before. But as we embrace this connected lifestyle, staying cyber-safe must go hand in hand. Whether you’re uploading reels or running a business online, the digital economy is calling—and Kenya is answering, loudly and clearly.

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Hillary Keverenge

Making tech news helpful, and sometimes a little heated.

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