Connectivity plays a key role in driving Africa’s transformation. The internet serves many needs; it is an immense source of knowledge, opportunities, entertainment and human connections. However, the cost of purchasing a smartphone can be a major barrier to mobile internet adoption.
Safaricom partnered with Google in 2020 to introduce a smartphone financing plan called Lipa Mdogo Mdogo (LMM). This allows customers to purchase a smartphone through daily instalments as low as KES20. So far, Safaricom has supported more than 1.3 million customers with devices in the LMM plan.
The operator also launched East Africa Device Assembly Kenya (EADAK) in October 2023. This is a partnership between mobile operators and device manufacturers. Through the initiative, Kenyans can now access locally assembled, affordable smartphones. As of March 2024, more than 360,000 devices valued at KES21 billion had been assembled. The target is to assemble 3 million devices annually. The device assembly plant will further support the government’s agenda to enhance digital inclusion in the country. The collaborative approach, which includes industry partnerships and enabling government policies, is helping to address the affordability challenge.
Affordable smart devices enable more people to access the opportunities available on the internet. This includes access to digital services, job opportunities and educational information, irrespective of the user’s location.
