Report: Smart household appliance adoption set to significantly grow by 2029

By Peter Ochieng

The adoption of smart household appliances is set to experience a notable increase by 2029.

This is according to the latest consumer data on the segment, reported by Statista, with projections indicating that the smart home appliances will reach a 5.8% penetration rate across households in the country.

Experts say that it will mark a significant shift from the estimated 2.8% in 2025. As a result, at least 831,700 households will have active smart appliances in Kenya, by 2029.

The increase shows a growing trend towards home automation, driven by consumers' increasing demand for convenience, energy efficiency, and advanced technological features.

As a result, smart appliances, which are connected to the internet and often controllable via mobile apps or voice assistants, are becoming an integral part of modern homes.

Among the most sought-after products in the category are refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, speakers, and air conditioning units, with many models now offering enhanced features like temperature control, inventory tracking, and predictive maintenance alerts.

Experts predict that the surge in the adoption of such smart appliances will be propelled by advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT).

The LG InstaView refrigerator, for example, is equipped with ThinQ technology, an AI-powered feature that connects to users' mobile devices, enabling them to monitor and optimize their refrigerator’s performance for greater efficiency and durability.

The fridge, for instance, sends a notification to a user’s smartphone if the door is left open. This is in addition to providing settings for a ‘vacation mode’, that greatly decelerates the power consumption.

“Over the last one decade, we have had an explosion of technologies that are greatly improving the capabilities of household appliances. LG has been leading the advent of many of these technologies and we expect to have our smart appliances in millions of homes across Kenya,” said LG’s President for East Africa, Donghun Lee.

The expansion of the smart household appliance market is also driven by the increasing availability of consumer-friendly financing options, government incentives for energy-efficient products, and the rapid rollout of 5G technology across Kenya, enhancing the performance of connected devices.

Industry analysts note that this steady growth in smart appliance adoption aligns with broader trends in the home automation sector, where consumers are increasingly looking for devices that enhance their quality of life and contribute to energy-efficiency.