Mobile (SIM) subscribers of Safaricom, Airtel, Telcom, Finserve and Jamii increased by 0.1 percent to 78.4 million last year, roughly working out to a penetration rate of 149.5 percent as of December 31, 2025, indicating a shift in usage patterns.
According to the second quarter (Q2) 2025/26 report by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), user activity remains strong, particularly in mobile money and data services.
“The mobile money market sub-segment reported remarkable growth in the quarter with subscription growth of 5.6 per cent translating to penetration rate of 98.0 percent by end of December 2025,” CA said.
Safaricom has taken the top spot with 52,381,782 subscribers, followed by Airtel at 22,927,287, Finserve at 1,520,444, even as Jamii telecommunications’ 827,006 subscribers helps it overtake Telcom (that currently has 744,902 subscribers) to take the fourth spot. A new entrant, Starlink, is also beginning to reshape the conversation around connectivity, particularly in underserved regions.
The latest CA data also reveal that voice services continue to play an important role thanks to 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 percent 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.
Mobile data subscriptions increased by 2.9 percent, broadband connections rose by 9.3 percent, and overall data consumption grew by 12 per cent during the quarter. This growth is closely linked to a 9.1 percent increase in smartphone adoption, alongside a decline in feature phone usage, reinforcing the transition toward data-driven digital ecosystems.
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.
However, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) subscriptions that comprise SIM cards assigned for use in machines declined by 1.3 percent to 1.84 million as at the end of the reference period.
In terms of market share, Safaricom retains a dominant position with approximately 89 percent as Airtel Money Kenya’s piece of the pie grow from 10.3 percent in Q1 to 11 percent in Q2.
The 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.
As the market continues to mature, the competitive edge will lie in delivering value, improving accessibility, and building ecosystems that integrate seamlessly into everyday life. According to the report, shifts in mobile money adoption, data usage, and cross-network engagement offer a clear indication of where the sector is headed.
