The Digital Boom: Kenya Leads Africa’s Mobile-First Entertainment Surge
Nairobi, Kenya
In Nairobi and across Kenya, the digital entertainment landscape is booming faster than anywhere else on the continent, signaling what may be the next major wave in Africa’s creative economy. As smartphone penetration rises and mobile-money platforms become widespread, young people are streaming, gaming, creating content—and brands and advertisers are following. A 2025 report from PwC Kenya shows Kenya’s internet advertising market is growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16 percent globally—the fastest in the world. Video advertising alone is expanding at a 22.3 percent annual rate.
The shift marks a turning point: traditional radio and TV are being overshadowed by on-demand content, gaming, social video and digital media consumption. Young creatives and mobile-first entrepreneurs are increasingly monetizing content through ads, streaming subscriptions, and social media. The rise of digital media is not just entertainment — it’s reshaping how East Africa works, plays, and earns.
However, the surge also brings new pressures. Infrastructure and internet stability remain inconsistent in many areas. Content creators often struggle with monetization, digital rights, and payment barriers. In addition, the regulatory environment lags behind: copyright laws, fair pay, and creative support systems are weak or outdated.
Why it matters
A rapidly expanding digital media market offers hope for youth employment, creative entrepreneurship and cross-border cultural exchange. For East Africa, this could mean new industries, new jobs and a fresh kind of “soft power” rooted in entertainment and tech.
What to watch
Will governments update copyright and digital-content laws? Will investors pour money into local startups, streaming platforms, games, and creative services? Will East African platforms start competing globally?
