February 2025

According to a new report from Kenya’s Communications Authority (CA), smartphone penetration is increasing, which is encouraging the adoption of 4G and 5G technologies.

The CA’s First Quarter Sector Statistics Report for the financial year 2024/2025, says there was a slight decline in 3G broadband subscriptions and data consumption, but an increase in 4G and 5G technology adoptions from July to September 2024.

“The adoption of 4G and 5G technologies has continued to grow, mainly driven by the growing demand for high-speed Internet for activities such as streaming, online learning, remote work, and e-commerce,” according to the CA.

The CA reports that the telecoms sector witnessed substantial growth in the first quarter of the financial year 2024/2025, with an increase in internet subscriptions, mobile SIM, smartphone use, and mobile money.

The total number of mobile phone devices connected to mobile networks was 68.1 million, with a penetration rate of 131.5%. Smartphones take the lead with 37.4 million devices, representing a 72.6% penetration rate, while 30.7 million feature phones accounted for 59.6% penetration.

“Safaricom PLC leads the market share in mobile broadband subscriptions with 63.1%, followed by Airtel Networks Kenya Ltd with 32.6%. Telkom Kenya has 1.7% Finserve (Equitel) Ltd 1.6%while Jamii Telecommunications Ltd has one%,” says the CA.

Safaricom PLC has a 92.3% market share in mobile money services, followed by Airtel Money (7.6%), and T-Kash (less than 1%).

Source: According to a new report from Kenya’s Communications Authority (CA), smartphone penetration is increasing, which is encouraging the adoption of 4G and 5G technologies.

The CA’s First Quarter Sector Statistics Report for the financial year 2024/2025, says there was a slight decline in 3G broadband subscriptions and data consumption, but an increase in 4G and 5G technology adoptions from July to September 2024.

“The adoption of 4G and 5G technologies has continued to grow, mainly driven by the growing demand for high-speed Internet for activities such as streaming, online learning, remote work, and e-commerce,” according to the CA.

The CA reports that the telecoms sector witnessed substantial growth in the first quarter of the financial year 2024/2025, with an increase in internet subscriptions, mobile SIM, smartphone use, and mobile money.

The total number of mobile phone devices connected to mobile networks was 68.1 million, with a penetration rate of 131.5%. Smartphones take the lead with 37.4 million devices, representing a 72.6% penetration rate, while 30.7 million feature phones accounted for 59.6% penetration.

“Safaricom PLC leads the market share in mobile broadband subscriptions with 63.1%, followed by Airtel Networks Kenya Ltd with 32.6%. Telkom Kenya has 1.7% Finserve (Equitel) Ltd 1.6%while Jamii Telecommunications Ltd has one%,” says the CA.

Safaricom PLC has a 92.3% market share in mobile money services, followed by Airtel Money (7.6%), and T-Kash (less than 1%).

Source: extensia.tech

Telecom services provider e& Egypt and Ericsson have extended their managed services and customer support agreement for another five years to enhance customer-centricity, efficiency, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration.

Ericsson will continue to manage e& Egypt’s network operations and customer support, assisting the company in improving service quality, improving user experiences, and increasing scalability for future network growth by leveraging Ericsson’s network operations and optimisation, as well as AI and digital capabilities.

Amr Fathy, chief technology and information officer at e& Egypt, said: “This partnership highlights a shared vision to leverage AI-driven network technologies for next-generation advancements in telecommunications. We seek to build on Ericsson’s experience to integrate AI in the network operations, enhance service quality and user experience for our subscribers while paving the way for future growth.”

Meanwhile, Ekow Nelson, vice president and head of global customer unit for e& at Ericsson Middle East and Africa, said “Our extended partnership aligns with e& Egypt’s efforts to provide an elevated user experience for its customers as it transforms into a technology company powering the connected digital future.”

Source: extensia.tech

The Senate, the upper house of the Burundian Parliament, has unanimously adopted the bill ratifying the East African Community (EAC) protocol on information and communication technology networks. The country is particularly open to cooperation with countries in the sub-region to accelerate the development of its ICT sector.

“The adoption of this bill will enable the promotion and facilitation of cross-border interconnection, network interoperability, harmonization of ICT policies and the development of ICT skills,” the Senate on X said .

This initiative comes as the Burundian government is stepping up efforts to make up for the country’s ICT gap. Before the Senate, Léocadie Ndacayisaba, Minister of Communications, Information Technology and Media, pointed out in particular the slow pace of implementing the legislative and regulatory framework for the sector. The Electronic Communications Code was not promulgated until 2024, we learned.

Burundi is ranked 46th out of 47 African countries according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) ICT Development Index 2024 with a score of 24.4 out of 100. The institution estimates the internet penetration rate in the country at 19%, compared to 25.6% for mobile telephony. In addition, only 50.6% of the population is covered by 3G, compared to 32.2% for 4G. In terms of e-government, the United Nations ranks the country 183rd out of 193 in the world with a score of 0.2481 out of 1, below the averages in East Africa (0.3903), Africa (0.4247) and the world (0.6382).

The ratification of the East African Community protocol on ICTs can accelerate the ambition of the Burundian authorities to provide the country with “a real technological leap likely to improve its economic growth by allowing the development of activities in a secure legal framework, using ICTs”. However, its success depends on the effective implementation of cooperation projects with other member countries of the community.

Source: extensia.tech

Kenya’s Konza Technopolis has so far attracted over 140 investors and $1.2 billion in investment.

This is according to John Kipchumba Tanui, principal secretary at the State Department of ICT and Digital Economy.

Tanui shared the details last week during President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau’s visit to Konza Technopolis.

He explained that Konza Technopolis provides opportunities in ICT, data centres, and other areas, with recent investments from various institutions affirming the facility’s ability to promote innovation.

Konza Technopolis, also known as Silicon Savannah, is a huge technology hub marketed by the Kenyan government as a key component of the east African country’s national development strategy, Kenya Vision 2030.

Tanui explained the importance of the facility, saying: “Plans are also underway to develop the Konza Media City, which will position Kenya as a leader in Africa’s creative and digital content industries. This initiative will include cutting-edge multimedia facilities, creating opportunities for economic growth and job creation in the digital era.”

He continued: “With over 140 investors and $1.2 billion in secured investments, Konza Technopolis offers vast opportunities in ICT, data centers, property development, healthcare, retail, light manufacturing, and more with recent investments by Riara University and GS1 Kenya further emphasize the city’s potential to drive innovation and economic transformation.”

Furthermore, he stated that the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (Kenya-AIST), modelled after South Korea’s AIST, is at the heart of Konza’s transformative objectives.

According to Tanui, Kenya AIST promotes research and innovation in science, technology, and engineering, addressing Africa’s demand for highly skilled scientists and engineers while also serving as a hub for knowledge creation, technology transfer, and capacity building to propel Kenya’s modernisation agenda.

Through the Konza Digital Skills Program, Jitume, the facility has also embarked on training Kenyans in digital skills to enable them to tap into global digital opportunities, Tanui said.

Also, he said Konza is home to the Green-tech Innovation Hub, which is part of a United Nations Development Programme project to construct ten innovation hubs across Africa. This centre was launched last year at an event attended by President William Ruto.

In closing, the principal secretary praised President Embaló’s visit, stating that it demonstrates international recognition of Konza’s critical role in shaping Africa’s technological and economic transformation.

Source: extensia.tech