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Kenyans Used Ksh 8 Billion To Buy Laptops And Phones

BY Juma · September 9, 2020 09:09 am

Kenyans spent 8.01 billion shillings to import laptops and phones in four months to July amid Covid-119 restrictions that were put in place by the government.

When Covid-19came knocking, millions of Kenyans started working from their homes as companies strived to cut on costs and to reduce the spread of Covid-19 among employees.

President Uhuru Kenyatta also ordered the closure of schools in March to prevent the spread of the virus among students in schools. This increased the demand for online services and many private schools started offering e-learning.

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According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, at the same time in 2019, Kenyans used 5.18 billion shillings on computers, laptops, and phones. The growth in 2020 has been quoted at 56.29 percent.

In 2019, Kenya was ranked as the leading the continent in terms of smartphone penetration, and internet usage the phone is key to most transactions and activities. Kenya had a 91 percent penetration of mobile subscriptions compared to Africa’s 80 percent.

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Globally, Kenya had the highest share of internet usage from mobile phones as compared to desktops. Internet access through the mobile phone in the country recently hit 83 percent, overtaking Nigeria.

Jumia Kenya, an online shop in Kenya, reported 70 percent of their traffic coming from mobile phones while 50 percent of payments done through the mobile also.

The rising demand for smartphones and laptops in Kenya reflects the move by Kenyans to embrace the use of technology in conversations via social media platforms and the carrying of business activities via e-commerce platforms.

From March, internet service providers such as Safaricom and Telkom witnessed a surge in the uptake internet data. At one time, Safaricom announced an increase by over 200 percent in demand for internet services while Telkom Kenya registered more than 80 percent in demand.

READ: Kenyans Moved Ksh 450 Billion Via Mobile In One Month

About Juma

Juma is an enthusiastic journalist who believes that journalism has power to change the world either negatively or positively depending on how one uses it.(020) 528 0222 or Email: info@sokodirectory.com