Kenya’s Mobile Money Subscriptions Surge to 54 Million
By June, Kenya’s mobile-money subscriptions had reached 54 million, extending the country’s long-running shift toward mobile-based payments and financial services.
Mobile-money subscriptions increased 13.2% during the 2025/26 financial year, according to the Communications Authority of Kenya.
This figure represented a penetration rate of 101.3%. The rate exceeding 100% indicates multiple subscriptions per person, as it reflects accounts rather than unique individuals.
The growth of mobile money coincides with broader expansion in Kenya’s telecommunications sector. Active mobile subscriptions reached nearly 88 million by June, while smartphone connections rose to 52.26 million.
Mobile data subscriptions hit 64.26 million, a 9.7% increase from the previous year, enhancing access to mobile applications and online services.
This trend solidifies the mobile phone’s role as a financial services platform. Kenya’s mobile-money market remains highly concentrated.
Safaricom held an 88.8% share of mobile-money transfers by June, according to the regulator. The company also dominated with 69.8% of mobile subscriptions and 64.4% of mobile broadband subscriptions.
Mobile money’s growth has become vital to telecom operators’ revenue. Kenya’s mobile-service revenue grew 3.6% to KSh440.9 billion in 2025.
The largest revenue category, “other services”, accounted for 42.8% of total mobile-service revenue, encompassing mobile money, roaming, bulk SMS, and airtime credit.
Data contributed 28.2%, voice 25.6%, and SMS 3.4%.
These figures highlight the evolving economics of Kenya’s telecommunications. While voice and SMS remain significant, financial services and data are increasingly central to the commercial value of mobile networks.
Mobile money’s expansion aligns with rising smartphone adoption. By June, Kenya had 52.26 million smartphones connected to mobile networks, compared to 27.42 million feature phones.
The Communications Authority attributed smartphone growth to the expansion of 4G and 5G networks. Mobile broadband subscriptions reached 54.93 million, or 85.5% of total mobile data subscriptions.
The regulator noted 4G as the most adopted broadband technology, with data consumption on 4G and 5G networks continuing to rise.
Kenya’s communication patterns are shifting alongside its payment methods. Domestic SMS traffic fell 0.3% to 57.1 billion messages during the financial year, partly due to internet-based services like WhatsApp.
Mobile Money’s Growing Role in Kenya’s Digital Ecosystem
Mobile money has become a central component of Kenya’s digital mobile ecosystem, with its expansion placing payments at the forefront of economic activity. The latest figures indicate that mobile money is no longer just an additional service but a significant part of the country’s mobile infrastructure.
