Economic survey shows Kenya’s internet and mobile usage grew in 2008.
According to a just released economic survey by Kenya’s Ministry of Finance, Kenya’s internet and mobile usage grew substantively in 2008 in spite of the negative effects post-election violence and the global economic meltdown.
The figures released by the Ministry of Finance indicate that internet usage grew from 2.9 million in 2007 to 3.4 million in 2008. At the same time, mobile usage grew from 9.3 million subscribers in 2007 to 12.9 million subscribers in 2008.
The survey results are somewhat impressive considering that Kenya’s economic growth has slowed down significantly over the last year. However, the impending “go live” of the SEACOM high speed undersea data cable starting in late June 2009 is expected to reduce international data and voice communication costs to and from Kenya starting this year.
Currently, Kenyan telcos, data network operators and internet service providers are upgrading and expanding their infrastructures country-wide in anticipation of all three high speed undersea data cables (i.e. SEACOM, EASSY and TEAMS) becoming operational by the end of 2010.
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Hi Moses.
That is great news. I think telecomms will continue to buck the economic trend and continue on a growth trajectory. Infact I think it is possible that this sector could act as the economic stimulus that the rest of the economy needs. If we experience an economic resurgence in 2010 onwards then the prospects look even better for telecomms in Kenya. Being an eternal optimist I think given the realisation by the political class that they need to conduct some reforms and refocus on buss then there are positive prospects ahead.