Kenya Records A Decline In Internet Speeds and Connectivity

If you’ve been experiencing slow internet speeds and unstable connectivity, then the latest report on Kenya’s digital standing confirms your fears.

Kenya has declined in its global digital standing, according to the latest Digital Quality of Life (DQL) Index by Netherlands-based cybersecurity firm Surfshark.

The report reveals that the country dropped 33 positions in electronic infrastructure quality and 18 positions in internet connectivity strength over the past year, now ranking 101 and 110 globally in these categories.

This downturn has led to Kenya’s overall DQL ranking falling 13 places to 89 out of 121 countries. This marks its lowest position in at least four years.

The country’s DQL index score decreased from 0.42 in 2023 to 0.37 in 2024, while Germany, the top performer, scored 0.78.

The DQL Index evaluates countries based on five pillars, including internet quality, e-infrastructure, e-security, internet affordability, and e-government.

E-infrastructure encompasses ICT-based resources like networks and data centers that facilitate internet access, while internet quality assesses the speed and stability of connectivity.

Despite the overall decline, the country showed improvement in certain areas. The country advanced 11 positions in internet affordability and two positions in e-government adoption during the year.

“Electronic government determines how advanced and digitized a country’s government services are. Better e-government helps minimize bureaucracy, reduce corruption, and increase transparency within the public sector,” the report reads in part.

Germany, Finland, and France lead in digital quality of life, while Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, and Ethiopia are trailing below other African states.

While Kenya has been dubbed as Silicon Savannah, meaning Africa’s tech hub, these findings don’t paint a good picture especially now when many young people are depending on remote jobs to earn a living, popularly known in Kenya as ‘taptengelei’ or press computer to earn dollars.