Apple recently introduced a leasing program in the United States allowing customers to pay for iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches through monthly instalments instead of outright purchases. The scheme, called Apple Upgrade, starts at USD 17.99 (around KSh 2,300) per month and offers options to return, upgrade, or buy the device after the lease period.

While Apple has not announced plans to expand this leasing model internationally, industry experts see potential for the company to enter markets like Kenya, where flexible payment models for smartphones, known locally as "lipa mdogo mdogo" (pay slowly), are already well established.

Kenya’s Rapidly Growing Instalment Market

Kenya’s buy now, pay later (BNPL) sector is expected to reach KSh 180 billion (USD 1.39 billion) in 2026, growing at an annual rate of 28.2% between 2022 and 2025. Projections indicate the market could expand to KSh 478 billion (USD 3.69 billion) by 2031. This growth is fueled by increasing smartphone penetration, widespread adoption of digital financial services, and strong demand for short-term credit.

The "lipa mdogo mdogo" approach is already integrated into Kenya’s telecom and retail sectors. Safaricom, in partnership with Google, offers smartphones for as little as KSh 20 per day via M-Pesa, with flexible repayment plans extending up to 12 months.

Expanding Smartphone Financing Options

  • Digital lender Mogo entered Kenya in August 2025 and has financed over 200,000 smartphones locally within nine months, partnering with brands like TECNO, Infinix, itel, and OPPO. Customers need a national ID, a six-month M-Pesa statement, and an upfront deposit between 23% and 35%.
  • Xiaomi Kenya launched the "JiUpgrade Bila Stress" instalment campaign to ease device acquisition.
  • E-commerce platform Jumia collaborates with Watu Credit, which has financed nearly two million devices in Kenya since 2022, offering mobile money repayment plans.

Smartphone usage in Kenya reached 83.5% as of June 2025, with over 42 million users, highlighting the significant opportunity for companies like Apple to introduce leasing schemes tailored to this market.