Asset financier–Mogo has financed more than 500,000 smartphones across the East African region within 14 months, highlighting strong demand for affordable digital credit and flexible payment plans.
The “lipa mdogo mdogo” affordable payment plans which have continued to grow across the markets have helped ease economic pressure on consumers.
In Kenya alone, Mogo has financed over 200,000 smartphones within nine months, driven by fast digital approvals, expanding retail partnerships and growing uptake of “lipa mdogo mdogo” payment plans that allow customers to access smartphones through small daily instalments.
The milestone builds on Mogo’s rapid expansion in device financing following its entry into the smartphone market in August 2025 for the Kenyan market.
The company has partnered with Transsion brands including TECNO, Infinix and itel as well as Oppo Brand to expand access to affordable, quality devices across low- and middle-income households.
‘’Crossing half a million smartphones financed across East Africa in nine months tells you something important about where demand is heading. In Kenya, we have surpassed 200,000 devices financed, driven by customers who need quality smartphones but cannot absorb the full cost upfront. Our process and product remove that barrier,” Mogo Kenya sales operations manager, Fred Muoka, said.
“What sets Mogo apart is the speed and simplicity of our process. Customers walk into a shop, choose a device, complete a fully digital application and walk away with their phone within minutes.”
The strong performance reflects rising demand for smartphones, which have become essential tools for communication, business, education and access to financial services.
Communications Authority of Kenya data indicates that active mobile subscriptions increased by 7.4 per cent in the third quarter of 2025-2026 to hit 84.1 million, pushing the country’s mobile penetration up by 8.2 percentage points to 157.7 per cent.
Smartphone penetration has reached 92.9 per cent with nearly 48.7 million smartphones actively connected to mobile networks.
In response to evolving market needs, Mogo Kenya has strategically elevated smartphone financing into a primary growth driver of its asset financing portfolio.
This expansion directly addresses the rising consumer demand for flexible payment plans and diverse device options.
“Our aim is to ensure more people can access quality smartphones regardless of income level. Many customers are unable to afford upfront payments, and our model helps ease that burden,” said Muoka.
The company has also expanded its retail network, working with more than 2, 000 dealers across the region to improve access to devices in both urban and rural markets.
“We continue to grow our presence through partners who reach customers in different segments. Our focus is to make smartphones widely accessible and affordable,” he said.
Smartphone manufacturer TECNO said its collaboration with Mogo is helping deepen digital inclusion by enabling more consumers to access affordable devices.
“This partnership allows more people to own smartphones and stay connected to family, friends and economic opportunities. It is about improving lives through technology and expanding access to digital tools,” said Wycliffe Otieno, operations manager, Tecno Mobile.
To qualify, customers are required to present a national ID and a six-month M-Pesa statement, and pay a deposit of between 23 and 35 per cent. The remaining balance is repaid through daily instalments of up to 12 months via the Mogo App.
“Many customers who visit our shop want quality smartphones but struggle with the upfront cost. With the ‘lipa mdogo mdogo’ option, more people are able to own devices that would otherwise be beyond their reach,” said Morris Mwaura, a smartphone dealer in Nairobi.
“We are seeing increased demand from small business owners, students and first-time smartphone users who appreciate the convenience and affordability.”
The growth in smartphone financing comes amid rising demand for affordable digital access in Kenya, where millions of consumers are increasingly adopting flexible “lipa mdogo mdogo” models to manage the rising cost of mobile devices.
