Mobile Money Use Rises as More Kenyans Shift to Digital Transactions

Kenya’s mobile money market recorded strong growth in 2025, driven by more users adopting digital financial services for everyday transactions. Subscriptions rose by 21.4 percent to reach 51.4 million, showing a steady shift toward mobile platforms for direct money transfers.

Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics Economic Survey 2026 indicates that person to person transfers increased significantly, rising to Sh8.66 trillion from Sh6.81 trillion in 2024. This growth reflects how more users are relying on mobile money to send and receive funds, making it a central part of daily financial activity.

At the same time, the data shows a decline in reliance on cash based agent services. Deposits through agents fell by 10.1 percent to Sh5.45 trillion from Sh6.06 trillion, while withdrawals and transfers also dropped to Sh8.24 trillion from Sh8.70 trillion. This suggests that more users are choosing to keep and move money digitally rather than converting it into cash.

Mobile commerce transactions also recorded a slight decline, easing to Sh21.34 trillion from Sh21.98 trillion. The figures point to possible changes in spending patterns or a shift in how users manage their money, with more funds remaining within mobile wallets.

Overall, the trend highlights a growing adoption of mobile money services in Kenya, as users continue to embrace digital platforms for faster and more convenient financial transactions.