Kenyan internet service provider Poa Internet has secured $4 million in debt financing from Finnish development financier Finnfund to expand its low-cost broadband services to underserved communities. The deal, announced in August 2025, also brings Finnish telecom giant Nokia on board as Poa’s preferred fibre technology partner. It represents a major step toward closing Kenya’s digital divide, where high-speed internet access remains largely limited to affluent urban centres.
Strategic Investment for Digital Inclusion
Poa Internet’s CEO, Andy Halsall, described broadband connectivity as a fundamental driver for trade, education, healthcare, and government services. He said the Finnfund loan, combined with Nokia’s fibre infrastructure, would allow Poa to scale its affordable internet offering across more Kenyan communities. The company has positioned itself as a disruptor in a market long dominated by larger players like Safaricom and Zuku.
Targeting Underserved Neighbourhoods
Founded in 2015, Poa Internet has built its reputation by focusing on low and middle-income neighbourhoods typically overlooked by traditional telecom operators. According to the Communications Authority of Kenya, internet penetration stands at just over 40%, with affordability and infrastructure gaps preventing widespread adoption. Poa’s model tackles these barriers by deploying networks in densely populated, lower-income areas where connectivity demand is high but options are limited.
Market Position and Growth
As of the second quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year, Poa had more than 238,000 subscribers, translating to a 13.8% market share. This makes it the fourth-largest ISP in Kenya, trailing established incumbents but carving out a fast-growing segment. With new funding, Poa aims to deepen its penetration while demonstrating that affordable connectivity can be both impactful and commercially viable.
Finnfund’s Broader Strategy
The deal highlights Finnfund’s growing interest in supporting African ventures that leverage Finnish technology to address developmental challenges. “Improving digital connectivity through affordable broadband supports economic growth and enables inclusive access to remote work, financial services, education, and healthcare,” said Kelvin Kiiru, Investment Associate at Finnfund. Earlier this year, Finnfund also invested $221,300 in South Africa’s Fibertime Group, another firm using Nokia’s technology to expand fibre access in underserved areas.
European Backing Through Global Gateway
The financing is part of the European Union’s Global Gateway initiative, a programme designed to strengthen smart, clean, and secure infrastructure globally. The investment is backed by the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+), underscoring Europe’s commitment to digitalisation as a tool for inclusive growth. “This investment in Poa Internet proves that human-centred digitalisation is not just a vision, but a reality,” said Henriette Geiger, EU Ambassador to Kenya.
Finland’s Diplomatic Support
The collaboration has also attracted high-level political attention. In May 2025, President Alexander Stubb of Finland visited Poa Internet’s Nairobi operations, highlighting the strategic importance of the partnership. The visit underscored how Finland sees digital inclusion in Africa not only as an economic opportunity but also as a pillar of bilateral cooperation.
Implications for Kenya’s Digital Economy
Kenya is widely seen as one of Africa’s leading digital economies, but the benefits of connectivity remain unevenly distributed. By expanding affordable broadband into underserved areas, Poa’s model supports national goals of digital inclusion and financial empowerment. The initiative could also accelerate the adoption of remote work, e-learning, e-health, and digital financial services among communities historically excluded from such opportunities.
Poa Internet’s $4 million financing deal with Finnfund represents more than just capital—it reflects a strategic effort to close Kenya’s digital gap with the support of European partners. By combining affordable pricing, innovative deployment, and global technology, Poa is charting a path for inclusive internet access. If successful, the project could serve as a blueprint for scaling digital connectivity across Africa.