State of financial inclusion and internet connectivity in Kenya

Mobile money services, such as M-PESA, have played a critical role in driving financial inclusion in Kenya

Kenya has made significant progress in expanding financial inclusion in recent years, with various initiatives and reforms aimed at increasing access to financial services for all Kenyans.

According to the 2020 Financial Access Household Survey conducted by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), the overall percentage of Kenyan adults who are formally included in the financial system stood at 82.9%. This represents a significant improvement from the 26.7% recorded in 2006.

Mobile money services, such as M-PESA, have played a critical role in driving financial inclusion in Kenya. As of 2020, over 90% of Kenyan households had access to mobile phones, and mobile money accounts stood at 65.3%. This has facilitated increased access to financial services, particularly in rural areas where traditional banking services are limited.

The Kenyan government has also implemented various policy reforms to enhance financial inclusion. For example, the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (2019-2023) aims to increase the level of formal financial access to at least 95% of the population by 2023.

However, there are still some challenges that need to be addressed. For instance, the gender gap in financial inclusion remains significant, with only 77.8% of women being formally included in the financial system compared to 88.1% of men. Additionally, the adoption of digital financial services among low-income earners, particularly those in rural areas, is still relatively low.

Overall, while Kenya has made significant progress in enhancing financial inclusion, there is still a need for continued efforts to address the remaining gaps and ensure that all Kenyans have access to affordable and accessible financial service

Kenya has made significant strides in improving internet connectivity in recent years, with various initiatives and reforms aimed at expanding access to the internet across the country.

As of January 2022, the estimated number of internet users in Kenya stood at 48.7 million, representing a penetration rate of 95.8%. This is a significant improvement from the 10% penetration rate recorded in 2010.

The government of Kenya has implemented several initiatives aimed at increasing internet connectivity, such as the National Broadband Strategy and the National Fiber Optic Backbone Infrastructure. These initiatives have facilitated the expansion of internet infrastructure and increased access to affordable internet services across the country.

Mobile internet has played a significant role in driving internet connectivity in Kenya, with mobile data usage accounting for over 99% of internet subscriptions. This is due to the widespread use of mobile phones, which are affordable and accessible, particularly in rural areas.

However, there are still some challenges in terms of internet connectivity in Kenya. For example, internet speeds in some parts of the country remain low, particularly in rural areas. Additionally, the cost of internet services is still relatively high for low-income earners, which hinders access to the internet.

 

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