Kenya’s mobile money sector continues to demonstrate remarkable momentum, with subscriptions reaching 47.7 million by June 2025. According to the latest Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) report, this represents a 91 per cent penetration rate, up sharply from 77.3 per cent in June 2024. The growth reflects the rising demand for financial inclusion, especially among the unbanked population, and reaffirms mobile money as a cornerstone of Kenya’s financial ecosystem.
The number of mobile money agents also surged, rising by 9.2 per cent in the same quarter to reach 453,480. This expansion of agent networks has been crucial in ensuring accessibility of financial services across both urban and rural areas, supporting inclusion at every level. Revenues generated from mobile services also tell a powerful story: the sector recorded Sh425.5 billion in 2024, a 10.7 per cent increase from the previous year, with mobile money, roaming, and bulk SMS accounting for the lion’s share of earnings.
The CA report further reveals that mobile (SIM) subscriptions reached 76.7 million by June 2025, translating to a penetration rate of 146.3 per cent. This surge has been supported by the continued rollout of telecom infrastructure, widespread adoption of smartphones, and the increasing demand for mobile broadband. Mobile broadband subscriptions alone grew to 45.8 million, marking a 15.7 per cent rise from the previous quarter and underscoring Kenya’s accelerated transition into a data-driven economy.
Beyond mobile money and broadband, other communication services also recorded growth. Domestic voice traffic rose to 29.17 billion minutes, while SMS usage climbed 6.5 per cent to 15.25 billion messages. International outgoing mobile voice traffic saw a notable 11.4 per cent rise to 200.3 million minutes, further highlighting the interconnectedness of Kenyan subscribers in the global digital space. These numbers illustrate the broadening influence of digital services across personal, commercial, and international communication.
The report also highlighted new challenges and sectoral shifts. Cyber threats nearly doubled, jumping by 80.8 per cent to 4.6 billion cases during the quarter. The CA attributed this to enhanced surveillance through upgraded KE-CIRT tools, showing both the scale of the threat and the strengthening of Kenya’s cybersecurity capacity. Meanwhile, fixed voice traffic continued to decline, while fixed broadband subscriptions rose, showing an ongoing preference for digital-first solutions over traditional infrastructure.
The CA concludes that the financial year 2024/25 has been shaped by an accelerated demand for digital services, financial inclusion, and the ongoing transition from feature phones to smartphones. This shift has broadened internet accessibility, powered e-commerce, enabled e-government services, and driven social inclusion. With mobile money firmly embedded in daily life and Kenya maintaining its role as a pioneer in digital finance and connectivity, the country continues to solidify its global reputation as a leader in digital transformation.
