Kenyans Purchased 4.1 Million Smartphones In a 3 Month Period
Kenyans purchased 4.1 million smartphones Between October and December 2024, nearly double the 2.2 million devices bought in the previous quarter, according to data from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA). This surge brought the total number of smartphones in active use to 41.5 million by December, a 10.9 percent increase from 37.4 million in September. In contrast, feature phones in use decreased by 146,643, bringing the total to 30.6 million, highlighting a clear shift in consumer preference toward smartphones.
Several factors have contributed to the rapid adoption of smartphones in Kenya. The CA report points to increased affordability, wider availability, and a growing demand for digital services as key drivers. Mobile broadband coverage has expanded to 97 percent of the population, making it easier for people to access the internet. As a result, smartphone penetration reached 80.5 percent by the end of 2024.
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A significant factor in this growth has been the introduction of credit-based acquisition models by handset manufacturers and mobile network operators. Companies like M-Kopa have successfully capitalized on this trend, selling over one million smartphones in 2024 through hire-purchase and pay-as-you-go financing options.
Technology analysts attribute the rising demand for smartphones to Kenyans, tech-savvy population, which has embraced mobile broadband, particularly 4G and 5G networks. The transition from feature phones to smartphones marked a major milestone in September 2023 when smartphone penetration overtook feature phones in the local market, signaling a permanent shift in consumer behavior toward more advanced, connected devices.
