Airtel Networks gained its market share in mobile (SIM) and broadband subscriptions while Safaricom lost in both areas, according to the Communication Authority of Kenya (CA) fourth quarter statistics report for the Financial Year 2023/24.
- •Airtel Networks gained market share to 6.6% from 5.1% while MPesa lost its market from 94.9% to 93.4% during the review period.
- •Telkom Kenya operated mobile money service, T-Kash has zero market share while the company controls 2.1% market share in mobile (SIM) subscription.
- •Safaricom, Airtel, Finserve (Equitel) and Jamii control 65.4%, 29.5%, 2.1% and 0.9% market share in Mobile (SIM) subscriptions during the period under review.
“The removal of withdrawal codes for transactions sent from M Pesa to Airtel Money enabling funds to be transferred directly into the Airtel Money account (wallet) could have enhanced the uptake for mobile money services,” notes CA.
As at 30th June 2024, mobile money subscriptions stood at 39.8 million translating to a penetration rate of 77.3 percent. This increase is directly proportional to the increase in mobile (SIM) subscriptions.
At the end of the referenced period, the total number of mobile phone devices connected to mobile networks was 66.1 million with a penetration rate of 128.3 percent. The penetration rates for smartphones and feature phones were 68.3 and 59.9 percent respectively.
In general, the 2023/24 FY and the fourth quarter of the same period experienced significant growth in mobile (SIM) subscriptions, data/Internet subscriptions, Internet traffic, and international Internet bandwidth capacity.
The growth is mainly attributed to the expansion of 4G and 5G telecom infrastructure coupled with increased adoption of smartphones as well as increased demand for high Internet speeds among consumers.
