NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 8 – A majority of Kenyans are accessing e-commerce platforms through mobile phones, with desktop computers playing a minimal role, highlighting the country’s growing mobile-first digital economy.
According to the latest Consumer Satisfaction Survey by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), 71.3 percent of users access e-commerce platforms such as Jumia and Jiji via mobile phones, compared with just 7.5 percent who use desktop computers. Others shop online using laptops (11.7 percent) and tablets (9.6 percent).
The trend mirrors Kenya’s rapid uptake of smartphones, which has driven growth in digital services. Smartphone penetration surpassed 80 percent last year, supporting the expansion of online shopping and other digital platforms.
E-commerce activity, however, remains relatively low overall. The report shows that only about 30 percent of respondents are engaged in e-commerce, while 70.9 percent do not participate in online buying or selling.
With smartphone usage high, mobile internet is the primary means of access, accounting for 65.9 percent of connections. This is followed by fibre connections at 27.3 percent and free WiFi at 4.6 percent.
The CA data further shows that e-commerce engagement is largely mobile-driven, with 44.8 percent of users transacting through mobile apps. Social media platforms account for 21.8 percent, while website portals represent 16.9 percent of access.
Multi-channel usage is also notable, with 12.1 percent of users combining websites, apps and social media, and 10.9 percent using both websites and mobile apps. Smaller overlaps, such as website and social media or app and social media, point to increasingly interconnected consumer behaviour.
