Kenya's 5G development progresses with Safaricom spearheading the charge
In the bustling East African nation of Kenya, the march towards high-speed connectivity continues, with 5G technology gradually becoming a part of the mobile landscape. According to recent data, only about 1% of all mobile subscriptions in the country were 5G as of the end of March 2024.
However, projections suggest a promising future for 5G in Kenya. By the end of 2024, it is estimated that 3.8% of mobile subscriptions will be 5G, and this figure is expected to nearly double to 12% by 2026.
As of March 31, 2024, the two major players, Telkom Kenya and JTL, have yet to launch 5G services. Meanwhile, Safaricom, the market leader with 44.7 million subscribers, has taken the lead in 5G adoption. Approximately 1.3% of Safaricom's user base was using 5G by March 2024, compared to 0.3% of Airtel's subscribers.
Safaricom's foray into 5G began in October 2022 with just 35 sites. Since then, the company has been steadily expanding its network, with over 803 5G sites established across 43 Kenyan counties as of March 2024. Safaricom's CEO, Peter Ndegwa, has announced plans to add another 700-1,000 sites, targeting a total of 2,000 5G sites by the end of 2025.
Airtel Kenya, with 19.9 million mobile subscribers, has also entered the 5G race. The company launched its 5G services in July 2023, covering approximately 370 sites. Airtel Kenya's network expansion initiative focuses on improving indoor coverage in towns and connecting rural areas, with a particular emphasis on enhancing network coverage in the northeastern region of Kenya. By the end of 2024, Airtel Kenya aims to roll out close to 1,000 sites.
As the availability of 5G services and compatible devices increases, the future of high-speed connectivity in Kenya looks promising. With both Safaricom and Airtel Kenya expanding their 5G networks, Kenyans can look forward to faster internet speeds and improved digital services.
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