Kenya had 52.3 million smartphones connected to mobile networks by the end of June 2026, highlighting the growing reliance on mobile technology for communication, business, financial services and access to information. The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) released the figure on Friday, October 2, 2026, as part of its latest assessment of developments in the country’s telecommunications sector.
According to the Authority, mobile phones are increasingly serving purposes beyond traditional communication, with Kenyans using smartphones to send and receive money, conduct business, access educational content, follow market information and obtain essential services.
Smartphones Account for Majority of Connected Devices
The CA’s third-quarter sector statistics for the 2025/2026 financial year showed that 78.7 million mobile devices were connected to Kenyan networks during the period. Smartphones accounted for 63.7 per cent of the connected devices, reflecting the continued shift from basic mobile phones to internet-enabled devices.
The Authority attributed the growth partly to increased smartphone adoption and continued investment in high-speed mobile network infrastructure. The expansion of smartphone ownership has also increased access to digital platforms, allowing more Kenyans to interact with services that were previously difficult to access without computers or physical offices.
Mobile Data Consumption Continues to Rise
The growing number of smartphones has coincided with increased demand for mobile internet services. Mobile broadband consumption reached 800 million gigabytes during the quarter, representing a six per cent increase from the previous quarter. Average data consumption per mobile broadband subscription also increased from 14.6GB to 15.1GB.
Users connected to 5G networks recorded the highest average consumption at 53.5GB per subscription, pointing to greater use of high-speed networks for data-intensive activities. The figures indicate growing demand for services such as video streaming, online learning, social media, digital commerce and other internet-based applications.
Mobile Money Usage Remains Strong
The expansion of smartphone use has also taken place alongside continued growth in mobile money services. The CA reported that active mobile money subscriptions reached 53.4 million during the quarter, translating to a penetration rate of 100.1 per cent. Mobile money remains an important part of Kenya’s digital economy, enabling users to make payments, transfer funds and conduct other financial transactions using mobile devices.
Growing Need for Reliable Digital Services
The increasing dependence on smartphones and mobile networks has also brought greater attention to network reliability, affordability and digital safety. As more Kenyans rely on mobile devices for financial transactions, education, business and government services, the quality and accessibility of telecommunications infrastructure remain important considerations.
Consumer protection and digital security are also becoming increasingly important as more personal and financial activities move online. The Communications Authority continues to regulate the telecommunications sector, oversee consumer protection and promote wider access to communication services across Kenya.
The quarterly sector statistics are compiled from information submitted by telecommunications and other communications service providers and provide an overview of developments within Kenya’s ICT industry.
