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 ...
13/11/2026
The UIM E1 Series wraps its third season this week with the Bombay Sapphire E1 Miami GP, Nov. 11-14, on Biscayne Bay at the Miami Seaplane Base on Watson Island...
13/11/2026
In-venue and creative video staffers at the professional and collegiate level ha...
13/11/2026
Singer-songwriter Benson Boone will headline entertainment for the Discover NHL Winter Classic between the Utah Mammoth and Colorado Avalanche at Rice-Eccles St...
13/11/2026
Blackmagic Design has announced the Blackmagic Ambisonic Microphone, a 7th order ambisonic microphone array that captures spatial audio for immersive video prod...
13/11/2026
SMPTE has announced that The Studio B&H and Riedel Communications will provide the video infrastructure and communications technology for the Solutions Hub at t...
13/11/2026
The Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) has announced the theme and program focus for the 2027 HPA Tech Retreat, which takes place Feb. 14-18, 2027, in La ...
13/11/2026
Football Manager 27 Touch is available on Apple Arcade starting today. The game ...
13/11/2026
MotoGP has announced a two-year media rights agreement with ESPN covering the Un...
13/11/2026
Apple Sports, the free iPhone app, has added the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) to its lineup of supported sports, in time for Saturday's UFC 334. The...
13/11/2026
The NBA and Fanatics Studios, the joint venture between Fanatics and entertainme...
13/11/2026
ESPN held its annual EDGE Innovation Conference last night and offered up an ove...
13/11/2026
Regional sports network gives Ithaca College, SUNY Cortland students a platform to thrive
One of the biggest games in Division III college football will be pla...
13/11/2026
Studer-inspired 500-series PWM compressor unveiled
The HLabs range already includes a couple of Studer-inspired offerings in the form of the PRE169 and EQ16...
13/11/2026
Download Now!
To view the white paper, please enter the following details:
--
First Name* First Name
Company*
Country* Please select your countryA...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , err)}) data-platform=copy_link data-action= class=font-ui-heading py-2 text-sm tex...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , err)}) data-platform=copy_link data-action= class=font-ui-heading py-2 text-sm tex...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , err)}) data-platform=copy_link data-action= class=font-ui-heading py-2 text-sm tex...
13/11/2026
Blue Lucy, the workflow orchestration and integration platform for broadcasters, rights owners and localisation companies, today announced an integration with c...
13/11/2026
Krotos announces Black Friday offers on Studio Pro and Studio Max
Brie Clayton November 12, 2026
0 Comments
First-year annual plans start at US$195.99...
13/11/2026
Blackmagic Design Announces Blackmagic Ambisonic Microphone
Brie Clayton November 12, 2026
0 Comments
New 7th order ambisonic microphone with 108 MEMS...
13/11/2026
Meet the Berklee Student Setting Planetary Motion to Music With his compositional platform SoniKosmos, Javier Roqueni aims to make the universe the ultimate i...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , er...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , err)}) data-platform=copy_link data-action= class=font-ui-heading py-2 text-sm tex...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , err)}) data-platform=copy_link data-action= class=font-ui-heading py-2 text-sm tex...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , err)}) data-platform=copy_link data-action= class=font-ui-heading py-2 text-sm tex...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , er...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , err)}) data-platform=copy_link data-action= class=font-ui-heading py-2 text-sm tex...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , err)}) data-platform=copy_link data-action= class=font-ui-heading py-2 text-sm tex...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , err)}) data-platform=copy_link data-action= class=font-ui-heading py-2 text-sm tex...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , err)}) data-platform=copy_link data-action= class=font-ui-heading py-2 text-sm tex...
13/11/2026
Share
{alert(Link copied)}).catch(err => {console.error(Failed to copy: , err)}) data-platform=copy_link data-action= class=font-ui-heading py-2 text-sm tex...
13/11/2026
Amagi, the media industry cloud company, today announced a partnership with Golden Times Media Technology (stock code 920021.BJ), a Beijing-based media and tech...
13/11/2026
CGI (TSX: GIB.A) (NYSE: GIB), one of the largest independent IT and business consulting services firms in the world, together with its Malaysian partner, Cedar ...
13/11/2026
SMPTE, the home for media professionals, technologists and engineers, today announced that The Studio B&H and Riedel Communications will provide the video infra...
13/11/2026
iWedia, a global leader in connected TV software solutions, will present its software-first approach to DRAM optimization at Android TV APAC Summit 2026 in Bang...
13/11/2026
Beginning today, November 13, Apple HomeView is available for purchase at Apple Store locations, on the Apple Store online, and in the Apple Store app in select...
13/11/2026
From pediatric research to smart hospitals, AI is helping care teams spend less time on routine tasks and more time with patients.
Health systems and startups...
12/11/2026
Industry leaders examine how Dynamic Media Facility, Media eXchange Layer, and c...
12/11/2026
The junior Tar Heel is embracing the technical and creative challenges of live production while emerging as a leader and mentor in the control room...
12/11/2026
Gracenote, Nielsen's content intelligence business, has released its fifth a...
12/11/2026
RTL Deutschland will bring the NHL to free-to-air TV in Germany starting Nov. 30...
12/11/2026
Clear-Com supported On Air 2026, a 24-hour student-led broadcast connecting 45 u...
12/11/2026
uniqFEED has opened a Remote Operations Center (ROC) in Madrid, Spain. It is already operational, delivering virtual advertising for LaLiga matches. The ROC is ...
12/11/2026
Disney, ESPN and the NBA will present Dunk the Halls, the third real-time animated NBA game using Sony's Beyond Sports data visualization technology, on Chr...
12/11/2026
Van Wagner has launched Van Wagner RELAY, a digital platform for official athlet...
12/11/2026
Deal brings together two of the industry's most established graphics brands and significantly expands Vizrt's footprint in U.S. sports and regional broa...
12/11/2026
Euro TV Production GmbH of Austria has upgraded its outside broadcast vehicle with Lawo technology. The mc 36 Classic console in service since 2019 was replaced...
12/11/2026
Tagboard has launched Spark Resize, an AI-assisted tool now in beta that takes an existing graphic and produces a new version for a different aspect ratio or sc...
48 Per Cent of the Population of Kenya Remains Unconnected to Mobile Networks 
