Kenya, located in the eastern part of Africa, has a diverse geography ranging from coastal plains, central highlands to a rift valley and desert landscapes in the north. The population of around 54 million people is largely rural, with approximately 75% living in rural areas and 25% in urban centres, the largest being Nairobi. Kenya's telecommunications sector is advanced by regional standards, with a well-developed mobile market leading the charge. The country is home to Safaricom, which launched the world's first mobile money transfer system, M-Pesa. Internet access is steadily improving, with fibre-optic infrastructure being rolled out across the country and connectivity being available in rural areas through LEO providers like Starlink. The country is also a leader in renewable energy, particularly geothermal, where it ranks 8th worldwide. Kenya's technology sector, known as 'Silicon Savannah', is still developing but shows great potential with numerous tech start-ups and innovation hubs.
Mobile Network Operators
The are 4 companies operating mobile networks in this region.
Safaricom is a leading telecommunications company based in Kenya. Founded in 1997, it has grown to become one of the most influential companies in the region. The company is publicly listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange and Vodafone Plc holds a significant stake, making it a multinational entity. Safaricom's ownership is a mix of public and private, with the Kenyan government also holding a considerable share.
Telkom Kenya is a prominent telecommunications company operating within Kenya. Established in 1999, the company has been a significant player in the Kenyan telecommunication market, offering a range of services including voice, data, mobile and fixed broadband. The ownership of Telkom Kenya has witnessed several changes over the years. As of now, it is a joint venture between the Kenyan government, holding a 40% stake, and Helios Investment Partners, a UK-based firm, owning the remaining 60%.
Jamii Telecommunications Limited (“JTL”) is a Kenyan company licensed by the Communications Commission of Kenya as a Telecommunications Operator under the Unified Licensing Framework. JTL offers data communications services to telecommunications operators, corporate, Media Houses and Government in East Africa using Terrestrial fiber optic cable, Satellite and Broadband wireless networks (Wimax). The company provides 4G LTE services under the Faiba brand.
JTL has deployed Next Generation Metro Fiber Networks in Mombasa, Voi, Nairobi, Thika, Nyeri, Naivasha, Nakuru, Eldoret, Kitale, Kericho...