Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics says computers, laptops, and smartphones were the most imported items as many Kenyans resulted in working from home to flatten the Covid-19 curve since Kenya reported its first case in March.
This has led to an uptick in technology consumption as companies result in online meetings and virtual classes.
According to KNBS, the value of imported telecommunications gadgets jumped by more than Sh3 billion in the three months to July this year to reach Sh8 billion shillings.
The most imported items were computers, smartphones, and laptops.
The COVID-19 travel restrictions and a dusk-to-dawn curfew played a huge part in the increase in demand for items like laptops and smartphones as well as a spike in data traffic for telecoms firms such as Safaricom.
Companies have resulted in conducting virtual meetings via video conferencing applications like Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams, BlueJeans, and Cisco Webex, while the closure of learning institutions has also meant classes are conducted online.
The government has further ramped up internet connectivity to remote areas with the deployment of google balloons to raise internet connectivity to rural communities.
