48 Per Cent of the Population of Kenya Remains Unconnected to Mobile Networks
Nairobi: Kenya is making excellent progress to achieve its target of universal broadband coverage by 2030 and there is an opportunity for the government to accelerate the country's digital transformation with more supportive policies. This was the key finding of a report released today by the GSMA, which highlights potential areas for policy reform that would support achievement of Kenya's Digital Economy Blueprint, and broadband coverage goals.
The mobile market in Kenya has expanded rapidly over the last decade, with the percentage of Kenyans connected to mobile services increasing from 30 per cent in 2009 to 52 per cent in 2019. According to GSMA Intelligence this number has the potential to grow to 58 per cent by 2025.
In order to achieve this, the GSMA report urges Kenya's government to follow best practice tax principles, simplify infrastructure deployment fees, and permit the tax deductibility of government payments. These, amongst other more supportive policies, would provide greater certainty for operators to invest in mobile networks and increase mobile penetration.
Maintaining a more stable tax system is necessary to unlock the full value of mobile connectivity for the 48 per cent of people currently unconnected in Kenya, said Akinwale Goodluck, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa, GSMA. With growing mobile penetration, Kenyans stand to benefit from improved financial inclusion, digitally-enabled local entrepreneurship, innovative health and education systems, and growing numbers of e-government initiatives. By improving the business environment for mobile operators, all Kenyans could benefit from these economic and social benefits of mobile connectivity.
The key findings from the report, Mobile Taxation in Kenya: Accelerating Digital Development', are highlighted below:
More supportive policies are key to securing Kenya's digital leadership
The tax contribution of the mobile sector in Kenya is high compared to other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), which risks limiting the growth potential of the country's mobile sector. In 2018, the total tax contribution of the mobile sector was estimated at KES 97 billion ($954 million), representing 37 per cent of the total market revenue. This was above the average in SSA (26 per cent) and any other reviewed region, including Europe (21 per cent) and Latin America (18 per cent).
Further, the Kenyan mobile sector makes a large contribution in taxes and fees relative to its economic footprint; while the mobile market revenue accounted for 3 per cent of Kenya's GDP, the sector's tax and fee payments accounted for around 6.5 per cent of government total tax revenue. The tax contribution of the mobile sector is therefore 2.2 times its size in the economy. This is limiting mobile operator's ability to make the necessary investments in Kenya's mobile networks and improve the affordability of mobile services.
Improving the affordability of mobile services could boost economic growth
Mobile technology plays an important role in Kenya's economic growth and for this to continue, significant investment in mobile networks, and addressing barriers to adoption, such as affordability, is required. In Kenya, affordability is hampered by excise taxes, which increase the cost of using mobile services.
Mobile operators in Kenya make a significant and valuable contribution to the economy and society. Total mobile sector revenues were KES 264 billion in 2018 ($2.6 billion), generating KES 133 billion ($1.3 billion) of direct economic value. This economic value constitutes over 1.5 per cent of Kenya's gross domestic product (GDP). There is potential for the mobile sector to make a far greater economic and social contribution by increasing mobile connectivity, so everyone can participate in the country's digital economy.
An uncertain tax environment could have detrimental impacts on the wider economy
The GSMA report argues that a short-term focus on the ICT sector for tax revenue could jeopardise the long term economic and social benefits of digital inclusion.
To illustrate this, the report analyses the potential detrimental effects of a hypothetical increase in the excise duty on mobile services from 15 per cent to 18 per cent. The study highlights that such a tax increase would potentially decrease Kenya's GDP by $268m and reduce potential mobile subscribers by 950,000.
Kenya is considered a front runner in digital transformation in the region. To maintain this position, the government must strike the right balance between tax revenue maximisation, and incentivising investment and economic growth, added Akinwale Goodluck.
The report, Mobile Taxation in Kenya: Accelerating Digital Development', is available at www.gsma.com/mobile-taxation-in-kenya
-ENDS-
About the GSMA
The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting more than 750 operators and nearly 400 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces the industry-leading MWC events held annually in Barcelona, Los Angeles and Shanghai, as well as the Mobile 360 Series of regional conferences.
For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter: @GSMA.
Media Contacts:
For the GSMA
GSMA Press Office
pressoffice@gsma.com
Like what you read? Share.
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
04/06/2026
Sony Electronics is introducing the SRG-AS10, a 4K 60p-compatible PTZ auto-frami...
04/06/2026
This recent grad from Spring, TX, led creative-video output for the Aggies' men's basketball team last season and has been producing video and creating ...
04/06/2026
For the first time at a women's golf major, every player in the field will r...
04/06/2026
Three Panasonic PT-RQ45 40,000-lumen 3-Chip DLP projectors made their first live...
04/06/2026
Bitmovin and Akamai have announced a collaboration with NRJ Group, a French mult...
04/06/2026
Telestream will exhibit at InfoComm 2026 (Booth N7952), demonstrating media work...
04/06/2026
Sony has announced the development of RIALTO 65, a 65mm format image sensor block for the VENICE 2 digital cinema camera, targeting release in the first half of...
04/06/2026
KOKUSAI DENKI Electric America will exhibit at InfoComm 2026 (Booth N8025, June ...
04/06/2026
Bell Media's TSN and RDS are the exclusive Canadian broadcasters of FIFA Wor...
04/06/2026
The Challenge: Receiving Heavy Media Files From Road Games Quickly and ReliablyT...
04/06/2026
MASV, a managed file transfer platform used in broadcast and live sports product...
04/06/2026
NESN has announced the appointment of Fahad Haider as Vice President of Operations and Engineering. Haider returns to NESN, where he previously served as Vice P...
04/06/2026
David J. Halberstam, who spent almost 50 years in sports as a broadcaster and an executive, died June 2 after a years-long battle with brain cancer.
Over his l...
04/06/2026
Although collegiate production programs are tasked with delivering high-quality ...
04/06/2026
California studio, two production trucks, global distribution system are combine...
04/06/2026
New global program empowers and supports storytellers through scriptwriting course and access to industry experts
TikTok and Sundance Institute today announce...
04/06/2026
Steinberg DAWs now boast in-depth Tonalic integration
Celemony's innovative virtual session musician plug-in has just received an update that brings ARA...
04/06/2026
Get Hands-On With Over 20 Mic Brands
GearExpo UK is fast approaching, and if you've been looking for a chance to check out some new mics, then you'r...
04/06/2026
Combos feature new Amplifier Intelligence engine
Positive Grid's latest release sees the company introduce two new combo amplifiers that promise to offe...
04/06/2026
Is Your Job Making You Work this June?
4 June, 2026
Media releases
SBS Launches the World Cup Watchers' Rights Association to Stand Up For Australians&...
04/06/2026
Statement regarding unauthorised use of SBS logos on third party social content
4 June, 2026
Media releases
SBS has become aware of social media posts in c...
04/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/06/2026
Bitmovin, a leading provider of video streaming infrastructure, and Akamai, the cybersecurity and cloud computing company that powers and protects business onli...
04/06/2026
American Underground (AU), the Startup Hub of the South and a community of mor...
04/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/06/2026
NVIDIA and Microsoft Reinvent Windows PCs for the Age of Personal AI
Brie Clayton June 3, 2026
0 Comments
RTX Spark - a 1-Petaflop Superchip, the Full...
04/06/2026
Inside the Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man Grade
Brie Clayton June 3, 2026
0 Comments
Simone Grattarola discusses shaping the look in DaVinci Resolve...
04/06/2026
Cine Gear Expo Announces 2026 Awards of Excellence Recipients
Brie Clayton June 3, 2026
0 Comments
Ed Lachman ASC, Caleb Deschanel ASC, and M. David M...
04/06/2026
St. Vincents Live with Orchestra Tour to Feature Berklee Alum Ruby Plume Berklee alumni St. Vincent and Ruby Plume will appear on the same bill across seven d...
04/06/2026
Back to All News
All the Truth in My Lies Coming to Netflix on August 28
Entertainment
04 June 2026
GlobalSpain
Link copied to clipboard
Download the imag...
04/06/2026
Back to All News
Larry Tanz, VP of Content, EMEA, Delivers a Keynote Speech at ...
04/06/2026
Back to All News
Turn Your Living Room into a Stadium With the New FIFA World ...
04/06/2026
Keeping conversations real on LinkedIn Published on Jun 4, 2026 Categories: Product News
LinkedIn Corporate Communications
Share
LinkedIn
Facebook ...
04/06/2026
BackStory follows four Irish young people as they travel back to their parents' homelands
Modern Irish identity is enriched by cultures and influences from...
04/06/2026
June's forecast with GeForce NOW: 100% chance of gaming.
GeForce NOW is lining up new adventures for the month, from big-name blockbusters to quirky indies...
03/06/2026
SES and Viva, Mexico's ultra low-cost airline, have launched multi-orbit satellite inflight connectivity on Viva's Airbus aircraft. A total of 60 A320s ...
03/06/2026
The College Football Playoff, ESPN, and TNT Sports have announced kick times and...
03/06/2026
RED Digital Cinema will exhibit at Cine Gear Expo 2026 (Booth 33, June 5-6, Universal Studios Lot), hosting three panels and hands-on product demonstrations.
P...
03/06/2026
Roku has announced the Soccer Zone, a dedicated hub for FIFA World Cup 2026 content available across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Argent...
48 Per Cent of the Population of Kenya Remains Unconnected to Mobile Networks 
