Kenya joins 10 other African nations in a bold move to phase out 2G and 3G mobile networks by 2030, as operators embrace the faster 4G and 5G broadband revolution.
This transition is part of a new strategic plan from the GSM Association (GSMA), designed to close Africa’s digital usage gap and connect an additional billion people to the internet by 2030.
Unveiled during the United Nations General Assembly, the “Advancing Digital Connectivity in Africa” roadmap is a collaborative effort between the GSMA and the Partnership for Digital Access in Africa (PDAA).
Other countries included in this initiative are Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, and South Africa.
As demand for older mobile networks declines in Kenya, both consumers and businesses increasingly seek faster broadband services.
Recent data from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) reveals a 27.3 percent drop in 2G subscriptions, falling to 9.3 million in June 2026 from 12.8 million the previous year. Meanwhile, 3G subscriptions saw an even steeper decline of 39.2 percent, dropping from 7.4 million to 4.5 million in the same timeframe.
This decline coincides with a significant rise in 4G and 5G connections. 4G subscriptions surged from 37.2 million in 2025 to 48.3 million by June 2026, while 5G subscriptions grew from 1.2 million to 2.1 million.
These figures highlight a steady shift among Kenyan consumers from legacy networks to high-speed mobile broadband, paving the way for operators to retire older technologies and invest in newer networks.
“Africa has already laid much of the groundwork for its digital future. The immediate challenge is to bridge the usage gap by making smartphones and services affordable, equipping people with essential skills, building trust, and ensuring connectivity adds real value to daily lives,” stated John Giusti, GSMA Chief Regulatory Officer and President of GSMA Foundation.
The GSMA estimates a staggering 906 million people in Africa remain unconnected, representing about 60 percent of the continent’s population.
The roadmap aims to tackle issues beyond mere network coverage, including smartphone and data costs, lack of digital skills, unreliable electricity, and limited consumer trust in digital services.
“The goal is ambitious, yet achievable. By uniting connectivity, electrification, affordable devices, and digital skills—along with genuine public-private partnerships—we can ensure Africa’s digital transformation uplifts every community,” emphasized Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Co-Chair of PDAA.
Additionally, the roadmap advocates for better integration of energy and telecommunications infrastructure to enhance connectivity reliability and expand device usage.
It also encourages infrastructure sharing among operators to lower deployment costs and ensure affordability for consumers.
For mobile operators, retiring 2G and 3G networks can free up spectrum and resources for advanced technologies, while also reducing the financial burden of maintaining outdated infrastructure.
However, this transition necessitates that consumers using older devices upgrade to 4G- and 5G-compatible models.
Currently, within the East African Community, only Rwanda has initiated a program to phase out 2G networks, guiding users toward higher-speed mobile broadband.
In Kenya, the significant drop in 2G and 3G subscriptions indicates a market already aligning with the GSMA’s vision, although a complete switch-off will hinge on regulatory decisions, network readiness, and the ability of consumers still relying on older technologies to transition.
