Data usage across Kenya's mobile industry increased by 12 percent in the three months to December 2025, driven by a rising number of individuals using smartphones amid dip in feature phone usage in the country.

The latest statists from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) show recorded 4,073,657 new smartphones users in the three months to December even as subscribers using feature phones declined by 776,465. 

During the quarter under review, data shows that mobile data subscriptions increased by 2.9 percent or 1.7 million new users even as individuals and businesses using broadband connectivity rose by 9.3 percent or by 4.38 million, effectively driving up the overall data usage by 12 percent.

In an update to the public last week, the industry regulator said Kenya’s telecommunications sector is entering a phase of maturity, with overall mobile subscriptions showing a marginal growth of 0.1 percent even as usage patterns evolve rapidly. 

CA second quarter report highlights that Kenya's total mobile (SIM) subscriptions stood at 78.4 million, a 0.1 percent uptick from the 78.3 million recorded in the three months to July 2025.

During the second quarter, mobile money subscriptions grew by 5.6 per cent to 51.36 million, signaling continued expansion in digital financial services. 

While Safaricom PLC retains a dominant position with approximately 89 percent market share, other players are gradually increasing their footprint. Airtel Money Kenya's market share grew from 10.3 per cent in Q1 to 11.0 per cent in Q2, indicating early signs of competitive shifts within a highly concentrated market. Overall, the industry recorded 2.72 million new mobile money subscribers during the last quarter of 2025.

Voice services, on the other hand, continue to play an important role. Industry trends indicate stable-to-moderate growth in traffic, driven by increased cross-network communication. Airtel Kenya recorded 11.83 billion minutes of voice traffic in Q2, up from 11.55 billion in Q1, representing a 2.4 per cent increase. 

Notably, off-net traffic grew by 8.4 per cent, suggesting rising cross-network engagement and strengthening relevance beyond its own subscriber base.

Usage patterns also highlight the role of pricing and perceived value. Average call durations remained higher across networks, with Airtel users averaging approximately 2.7 minutes per call, compared to shorter durations of about 1.6 minutes on Safaricom. This points to affordability as a key factor shaping access and how consumers use voice services.

At the same time, SMS usage continues to decline across the sector. Airtel Kenya recorded a 7.1 percent drop in SMS volumes during the quarter, compared to an overall market decline of 2.6 percent, which includes trends observed on Safaricom and other operators. This reflects a structural shift toward internet-based messaging platforms, rather than a reduction in overall communication.

Safaricom continues to lead across key segments, including subscriptions and mobile money, though its growth is relatively slower in certain areas compared to emerging competitors. 

Airtel Kenya, with a market share slightly above 30 percent, continues to strengthen its position through pricing and usage-led strategies. Other operators such as Telkom Kenya and Jamii Telecommunications remain niche players in the mobile segment, while new entrants like Starlink are beginning to reshape the conversation around connectivity, particularly in underserved regions.

The latest CA report highlights that growth in Kenya’s telecom sector is no longer defined by subscriber acquisition alone but is increasingly driven by how effectively operators deepen engagement, expand financial services, and support evolving digital lifestyles.

According to the report, shifts in mobile money adoption, data usage, and cross-network engagement offer a clear pointer of where the sector is headed.

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