Kenya Tech News

Starlink becomes Kenya’s 7th largest ISP, eyes direct-to-mobile satellites

Elon Musk's Starlink has become Kenya's seventh-largest internet service provider, reaching 19,146 users and capturing 1.1% of the market. This rapid growth has prompted regulatory scrutiny, with plans to increase satellite license fees and impose additional levies. Despite these challenges, Starlink is enhancing its infrastructure and pricing strategies, including launching a Nairobi ground station and introducing a $10 50GB data plan, aiming to further penetrate Kenya's broadband market.

Credit: Source

Kenyan Startup Badili Secures US$400,000 for Refurbished Electronics

Kenyan re-commerce startup Badili has secured a US$400,000 debt facility from French development organization Proparco to enhance its refurbished electronics initiative. Established in 2021, Badili operates in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, focusing on the aggregation, repair, and resale of used or damaged mobile phones, partnering with major e-commerce platforms and mobile network operators to offer affordable, high-quality smartphones. This funding aims to improve smartphone accessibility, connectivity, and sustainability in Kenya, while reducing electronic waste.

Credit: Source

Kenya’s mobile subscriptions reach 71.4mn amid high demand

Kenya's active mobile phone subscriptions grew by 2% to 71.4 million as of December 2024, increasing the mobile penetration rate to 138.5%. This surge is largely attributed to the festive season and a heightened demand for telecommunication services. Concurrently, mobile data subscriptions reached 56.1 million, with smartphone penetration hitting 80.5%, driven by the extensive coverage of mobile broadband networks across 97% of the population.

Credit: Source

Safaricom Annual Engineering Summit EA Edition Kicks Off in Nairobi

The Safaricom Engineering Summit, a three-day event themed “Charting East Africa's Digital Destiny,” commenced in Nairobi. It's a platform for young engineers and tech enthusiasts to exchange knowledge. The summit focuses on innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability, with over 10,000 attendees expected. Industry experts are sharing insights on emerging technologies like AI and Fintech. The summit also showcases Safaricom's engineering practices and products.

Credit: Source

Busia County incorporates drone technology to combat high malaria rates

Busia County, facing a malaria prevalence rate of 39%, has launched the third phase of its Larval Source Management program, utilizing drones to apply biolarvicide targeting mosquito larvae in inaccessible breeding sites. This initiative, combined with indoor residual spraying and distribution of treated mosquito nets, has led to a 95% reduction in adult mosquito populations.

Credit: Source

Thank You for reading!