Access to reliable internet has transformed lives across Kenya, and Poa Internet is at the heart of that change. Once limited to slow and costly 2G or 3G connections, many Kenyans in low-income areas can now study, work, and build businesses online thanks to Poa’s affordable, high-speed wireless network. By bringing fiber-like internet speeds to underserved communities, Poa Internet is closing Kenya’s digital divide and empowering thousands to access new opportunities for education, employment, and economic growth.
When Ely used 2G internet, studying, researching, or working online was painfully slow and costly.
“Without good internet, I wouldn’t be able to generate the income I now earn, and I wouldn’t have the job I have today,” Ely explains.
Since installing Poa Internet, Ely’s connection has become fast, reliable, and affordable. This change has transformed both his work and daily life.
Before Poa Internet, most people in low-income areas used 3G networks. This made watching videos, making video calls, and using other online services expensive. Fast fiber internet was mostly found in richer neighborhoods, so millions of Kenyans missed out on chances for education, work, and starting businesses.
Poa Internet addressed this problem by building a wireless network that provides fast internet, similar to fiber, but at a lower cost. This initiative brought unlimited, affordable internet to communities that previously lacked access.
Founded in 2015 by Andy Halsall, Poa Internet pioneered a connectivity model that fills critical infrastructure gaps in underserved markets. The company specializes in delivering affordable internet to peri-urban and semi-rural areas, populations traditionally excluded from reliable digital access.
The journey began in Kibera, with community Wi-Fi routers installed on school and community rooftops, extending coverage to surrounding areas
The company has since grown quickly:
- Over 3,000 Wi-Fi hotspots across Kenya.
- Coverage in Kawangware, Jamhuri, Kabiria, Ting’ang’a, Kirigiti, Kangemi. Among others.
- Doubled potential coverage, connecting thousands more homes.
- Supported by important investments from the European Investment Fund, Novastar Ventures, and a US$4 million Finnfund investment, backed by the EU and EIB, which helped the company grow faster.
Poa Internet’s impact extends beyond connectivity:
– It improves access to education in underserved communities.
– It helps small business owners sell the internet to others, supporting online businesses.
– It supports institutions like Ushirika Health in Kibera, enhancing operational efficiency.
– It strengthens Kenya’s digital economy and digital literacy.
Today, Poa Internet connects over 50,000 homes, holds about 14% of Kenya’s ISP market share, and has 261,491 subscribers as of 31st March 2025.
Poa Internet shows how innovation, affordability, and a focus on community can widen digital access and create economic opportunities.
With ongoing support from partners like the European Investment Bank (EIB), Poa Internet is empowering thousands of Kenyans to fully engage in the digital economy.
