Kenyan .ke domains grow four times faster than global average as SMEs go digital

NAIROBI, Kenya — The number of Kenyan businesses utilizing the .ke internet domain is growing at a rate more than four times the global average, as small enterprises embrace websites and e-commerce to join the digital economy. The Kenya Network Information Centre (KeNIC) reported a 16.06 percent year-on-year increase in .ke domains managed from June 2025 to June 2026, with the total increasing from 111,268 to 129,140.

This growth exceeds the global increase of 3.6 percent and the growth of established .com and .net domains, which rose by 5.1 percent. KeNIC's Finance and Strategy Manager, Hildah Maina, highlighted the demand for Kenyan digital identities and the role of local registrars in facilitating online participation for businesses. KeNIC has been aiding registrars in modernizing to simplify the process of establishing an online presence.

The acceleration is facilitated by digital tools, including AI-powered website builders that enable businesses to obtain a .ke domain and create a website in under a minute. This development is particularly beneficial for micro and small enterprises that lack resources to hire web developers. To further promote .ke domain adoption, KeNIC has launched a mobile application.

The organization aims to register one million .ke domains by 2030, with an intermediate goal of reaching 300,000 domains. Big Ted, a prominent figure in Kenya, has been appointed as the .ke Global Brand Ambassador to promote the domain among Kenyans in the diaspora and internationally.