Mobile Money Agents Fall as Subscriptions Hit Record Penetration

Kenya's registered mobile money agents saw a 5.6 percent decline to 568,463 in the quarter ending June 30, 2026, while mobile money subscriptions hit a record penetration rate of 101.3 percent. The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) reported a 13.2 percent increase in mobile money subscriptions during the same period. The reduction in physical agents indicates a shift towards digital transactions, with customers increasingly using digital channels for payments and financial services.

The CA also noted a continued growth in mobile connectivity, with active mobile subscriptions across all networks increasing by 4.6 percent to 87.99 million. Mobile data subscriptions grew by 9.7 percent year-on-year to 64.3 million in June 2026, reflecting the demand for internet-enabled services like digital financial services, social media, online commerce, education, and government services.

Smartphones accounted for 85.5 percent of total data subscriptions, with 4G remaining the most widely adopted broadband technology. The expansion of internet access is crucial for Kenya's digital transformation, enabling economic participation and access to public and private sector services.