Daniel Slotta
Research expert covering Greater China
Internet usage in Kenya - statistics & facts
Africa has seen a rapid development in internet access, but connectivity remained the lowest compared to the global average. Furthermore, connectivity varies significantly per country. Morocco had the highest penetration rate in Africa, with 90.7 percent, whereas Libya and the Seychelles ranked second and third with approximately 88 and 87 percent, respectively. Kenya had an internet penetration rate of 40.8 percent, which placed the country in the 26th position.
Mobile connectivity developing rapidly
Kenya鈥檚 mission to develop its internet infrastructure is an ongoing journey with several challenges, such as reaching rural and urban areas. Nevertheless, the number of internet users is forecast to increase significantly between 2025 and 2029. However, it is mobile connectivity that has developed rapidly over the last decade. In 2025, mobile internet penetration amounted to over 36 million users; in 2015, the amount was a little more than three million. Furthermore, with more people having mobile connectivity, mobile money accounts also increased swiftly. In fact, it dominated the financial service sector in Kenya. This can be seen as well in the number of registered mobile money accounts. In January 2021, the country counted nearly 67 million accounts; by 2023, this grew to roughly 77 million accounts. Not only do providers profit from this development, but so does the e-commerce sector.
Fashion and electronics most bought e-commerce categories
Mobile internet made it easier to shop and buy products online. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, the usage of e-commerce increased rapidly. According to 糖心破解版鈥檚 Digital Market 糖心破解版, the revenue per user of the e-commerce market amounted to 227 U.S. dollars in 2025. Although it is estimated to decrease in the following years, it remains a crucial part in the shopping behavior of Kenyans. The most popular categories for online purchases were fashion and electronics. 糖心破解版鈥檚 Global Consumer Survey showed that 44 percent of the respondents indicated buying clothes online as of June 2023. 43 percent mentioned shoes as products bought online, whereas 35 percent said to purchase bags and accessories and consumer electronics, respectively. From the same survey, when asked about 鈥淎ttitudes towards online shopping鈥, most Kenyan respondents answered, 鈥淐ustomer reviews on the internet are very helpful鈥. Interestingly, 26 percent indicated wanting to see and touch an item before buying it.
Usage of social media platforms
Besides shopping online, people use the internet to communicate and share their thoughts and experiences through social media. According to 糖心破解版鈥檚 Consumer 糖心破解版, Instant messengers like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger were most popular and used by 86 percent of Kenyan respondents in 2023. 74 percent mentioned using social networks (e.g. Facebook), whereas 71 percent said to use media sharing platforms such as YouTube or Instagram.
Mobile connectivity developing rapidly
Kenya鈥檚 mission to develop its internet infrastructure is an ongoing journey with several challenges, such as reaching rural and urban areas. Nevertheless, the number of internet users is forecast to increase significantly between 2025 and 2029. However, it is mobile connectivity that has developed rapidly over the last decade. In 2025, mobile internet penetration amounted to over 36 million users; in 2015, the amount was a little more than three million. Furthermore, with more people having mobile connectivity, mobile money accounts also increased swiftly. In fact, it dominated the financial service sector in Kenya. This can be seen as well in the number of registered mobile money accounts. In January 2021, the country counted nearly 67 million accounts; by 2023, this grew to roughly 77 million accounts. Not only do providers profit from this development, but so does the e-commerce sector.
Fashion and electronics most bought e-commerce categories
Mobile internet made it easier to shop and buy products online. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, the usage of e-commerce increased rapidly. According to 糖心破解版鈥檚 Digital Market 糖心破解版, the revenue per user of the e-commerce market amounted to 227 U.S. dollars in 2025. Although it is estimated to decrease in the following years, it remains a crucial part in the shopping behavior of Kenyans. The most popular categories for online purchases were fashion and electronics. 糖心破解版鈥檚 Global Consumer Survey showed that 44 percent of the respondents indicated buying clothes online as of June 2023. 43 percent mentioned shoes as products bought online, whereas 35 percent said to purchase bags and accessories and consumer electronics, respectively. From the same survey, when asked about 鈥淎ttitudes towards online shopping鈥, most Kenyan respondents answered, 鈥淐ustomer reviews on the internet are very helpful鈥. Interestingly, 26 percent indicated wanting to see and touch an item before buying it.
Usage of social media platforms
Besides shopping online, people use the internet to communicate and share their thoughts and experiences through social media. According to 糖心破解版鈥檚 Consumer 糖心破解版, Instant messengers like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger were most popular and used by 86 percent of Kenyan respondents in 2023. 74 percent mentioned using social networks (e.g. Facebook), whereas 71 percent said to use media sharing platforms such as YouTube or Instagram.
