NAIROBI — In a small apartment overlooking Nairobi’s buzzing Ngara district, 21-year-old
Faith Mwangi sets up her tripod. A single ring light illuminates her face as she opens her Bible to
Proverbs 31, ready to record a short devotional for her growing Instagram audience.
Just three years ago, Faith’s dream of becoming a full-time content creator felt out of reach.
Internet costs were steep, upload speeds sluggish, and her rural followers often complained that
her videos took too long to load. Today, things are different.
Kenya’s digital infrastructure has leaped forward, and with it, a new wave of African creators is
emerging — storytellers, preachers, dancers, gamers, and teachers, all riding a tide of
unprecedented connectivity.
The growth is not anecdotal. Data from the Communications Authority of Kenya shows
mobile subscriptions climbed 6.7% in early 2025, hitting 76.16 million active lines. Mobile
money subscriptions jumped 7.2% to 45.36 million, a crucial enabler for small creators who rely
on M-PESA payments from fans and clients.
Broadband access is expanding too, with 44.44 million mobile broadband subscriptions
recorded this year — a figure almost unthinkable a decade ago.
Internet speed is another game-changer. According to DataReportal, Kenya’s median mobile
download speed has surged 37.6%, reaching 29.97 Mbps in 2025. That’s fast enough for smooth
livestreaming and high-quality video uploads, even from a modest smartphone.
Satellite internet has also entered the mix. Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite broadband venture, has
made aggressive moves in Kenya since its 2023 launch, increasing satellite connections by nearly
5% this year, particularly in rural areas.
These gains are more than statistics — they are the foundation for a cultural and economic
transformation.
“We’re witnessing the democratization of influence,” says Mercy Wanjiku, a tech policy advocate based in Nairobi. “When you remove connectivity barriers, you open the door for millions of untapped voices to join the conversation.”
For creators, improved speeds and lower latency mean better livestreaming, higher video resolution, and faster uploads — all essential for competing in the crowded digital space. For audiences, it means the ability to watch, engage, and even buy directly from their favorite influencers without frustrating lag.
And the stakes are high. Kenya is already a content hub for East Africa, with thriving communities on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. From comedic skits to gospel music, Kenyan content is reaching global audiences — and the infrastructure is finally catching up to the ambition.
Perhaps the most transformative change is happening outside Nairobi’s tech-savvy
neighbourhoods. In counties like Turkana, Kisii, and Garissa, better internet access is pulling
rural communities into the digital economy.
One example is Daniel Kibet, a 26-year-old farmer from Eldoret who runs a TikTok channel
blending agricultural tips with short Bible lessons. His content — once plagued by long upload
times — now reaches over 150,000 followers, many of them farmers in similar conditions across
Africa.
“With faster internet, I can post daily and even go live,” Daniel says. “It’s not just about farming.
It’s about sharing hope and faith with people who might never step into a church building.”
Christian content creators like Faith and Daniel are among the fastest-growing segments in
Kenya’s digital space. With 60% of Africa’s population under the age of 25, there’s a vast
youth audience hungry for purpose-driven content.
“Social media has become a mission field,” says Pastor Ben Otieno, who runs a YouTube
channel offering Bible study sessions and leadership training. “If the Apostle Paul had a
smartphone, I’m convinced he would be on TikTok.”
Faith-driven creators are leveraging this new connectivity to launch podcasts, produce high-
quality worship sessions, and even run online prayer communities. Some are monetizing through
Patreon-style support, others through merchandise and virtual events.
While the gains are significant, challenges persist. Kenya still has one of the highest data cost-to-
income ratios in the region, with some rural households spending up to 4% of their monthly
earnings on mobile internet.
Electricity stability remains another hurdle. Frequent outages, particularly outside major cities,
can halt live events and disrupt production schedules.
There’s also the issue of algorithmic visibility. Studies show that African creators often face
reduced global reach because platform algorithms prioritize Western content. For faith-based
creators, the challenge is compounded by platform policies that sometimes flag religious
messages as “sensitive.”
Despite these barriers, optimism is running high. Analysts believe Kenya’s growing mobile penetration could unlock two million new content creators by 2026 — a mix of part-time hobbyists and full-time professionals. The government’s push to digitize services, combined with private investment in fiber optics and satellite connectivity, could position Kenya as a continental leader in the creator economy.
Creators who master both storytelling and strategy will be well-placed to ride this wave,
especially those blending local culture with global appeal.
As Kenya’s creator economy scales, industry leaders are urging a focus on integrity and impact.
“NEX Magazine exists to remind creators that influence is stewardship,” says Thabo Ndlovu,
program director for Faith Nexus 2025. “Our voices have the power to shape culture. The
question is — will we use that power wisely?”
For Faith Mwangi, the young devotional creator, the answer is simple. “I just want to speak life,”
she says, adjusting her phone before going live to 8,000 viewers. “The technology has changed.
My mission hasn’t.”
