Internet usage via smart phones and tablets in Kenya has widened its lead over desktop computers as young people born after 2000 increasingly acquire the mobile gadgets.
An overwhelming 81.7 per cent of Kenyans now access Internet services via phones, states the 2017/2018 research data compiled by an independent web analytics firm, Startcounter Global Statistics.
Together with tablets which pushed the numbers up by 1.5 percentage points, the mobile gadgets account for 83.2 per cent of internet access in Kenya, compared to desktop computers’ 16.9 per cent.
Internet usage via smart phones and tablets in Kenya has widened its lead over desktop computers as young people born after 2000 increasingly acquire the mobile gadgets.
An overwhelming 81.7 per cent of Kenyans now access Internet services via phones, states the 2017/2018 research data compiled by an independent web analytics firm, Startcounter Global Statistics.
Together with tablets which pushed the numbers up by 1.5 percentage points, the mobile gadgets account for 83.2 per cent of internet access in Kenya, compared to desktop computers’ 16.9 per cent.
The huge gap highlights just how fast consumer trends have changed in less than a decade. Only eight years ago, Internet access was 88.58 per cent by desktop and 11.42 per cent via mobile devices. By that time, in 2010, tablets had no data, meaning tablets usage has surged significantly over the years.
The Startcounter Global Statistics attributes the shift to compatibility of emerging apps with mobile phones as opposed to desktops.
The trend has also been fuelled by the lower cost of communication via mobile applications, mainly social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Mixit, Snapchat, and Messenger, among others, the research shows.
“This should be a wakeup call especially for small businesses, sole traders and professionals to make sure that their websites are mobile friendly. Many older websites are not.”
“Mobile compatibility is increasingly important not just because of growing traffic but because Google favours mobile friendly websites for its mobile search results,” StatCounter CEO, Aodhan Cullen, said.
Social media statistics, according to the research shows that among Kenya social media consumers, Facebook leads with 67.6 per cent compared to Pinterest (14.9), Twitter (7.6), YouTube (6.6), Instagram (1.3), and Google (0.5).
Seven years ago, Facebook stood at 87.1 per cent, compared to current 67.6 per cent, a significant market decrease partly consumed by rise of Pinterest, from a starter shooting to 14.9 per cent, Twitter rise from 3.3 per cent seven years ago to 7.6, and YouTube from 4.1 to 6.6.
Instagram and Google data were unavailable then since some of them were not yet established or inconsequential. By then other significant players were Stumble (1.6), Now Publishing (2.4), Diggs (0.2), Reddit (0.3), MySpace (0.1), Linkenld (0.2), Delicious (0.06), Orkut (0.05), and Yahoo (0.03). Seven years down the line, the market share of some of these apps that once ruled, have been depleted.
Further, in Kenya there are local popular apps that are compatible mostly with androids on mobile phones such as Uber, True Caller ID & Blocker, My Safaricom App, OLX, Branch, lifestyle, play music apps, among others.
In Kenya the current mobile vendor market share that drives mobile apps growth are Unknown 27.1 per cent, Techno (17.8) Samsung (15.9), Infinix (10.3), Huawei (7.1), and Vodafone (4.1).
However, in 2010, Nokia’s market share was 80.4 per cent, Samsung (9.6), Sony Ericson (5.7), Motorola (1.1), Apple 1.4, LG (0.3), T-Mobile (0.02), Sony (0.03), HTC (0.01), and Goggle (0.01). Most of these mobile gadgets were mostly used for calling or receiving money.
The rapid growth of mobile services and Internet usage that exceeds desktop has similar trends in Africa this year.
In neighbouring countries, Rwanda mobile accounts for 70.6, tablets (1.0), and desktop (28.3). In Tanzania: 83.2, 1.0, and 15.7 respectively, Uganda: 77.9, 1.3, and 20.6, while in Ethiopia its 82.4, 1.0, and 16.5 respectively.
Similar trends are in Nigeria, South Africa and Namibia. In South Africa, 67.3 per cent accounts for mobile, 29 and 3.5 respectively, Nigeria: 81.3, 2.4, and 16.2, while Namibia’s mobile accounts for 59.7 per cent, tablet 2.8, and desktop 2.8 per cent.
