The latest numbers released by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) show even greater smartphone penetration in the Kenyan market in the first quarter of this year.
The quarterly data now shows that 628,818 feature phones stopped being used as smartphones grew by 886,884 in the same period. As of March 2024, active feature phones stood at 31.2 million down from 31.8 million registered in December 2023. This shows a 2% dip.
Meanwhile, the number of smartphones in use increased from 33.6 million to 34.5 million during the same period. This translates a 2.6% surge reflecting a growing demand for modern gadgets that offer a wide range of functionalities including internet connectivity.
In the report, CA states, “The total number of mobile phone devices connected to mobile networks was 65.7 million with a penetration rate of 127.5 percent.”
Smartphone penetration has now been leading the way after overtaking feature phones in the Kenyan market in September last year.
Other than the demand for internet connectivity, the surge in smartphone adoption could also be associated with aggressive marketing by manufacturers. We have seen them even introduce purchase plans meant to encourage Kenyans in the low-income segment to acquire these devices.
And with recent events in the country, we can expect the numbers to surge even more in the following quarters as more people seek to be connected.
As reported by Business Daily, active mobile (SIM) subscriptions grew 1.9% to stand at 68.0 million as of March up from the 66.7 million recorded during the quarter to December.
