Petroc Taylor
Research expert covering global developments in the use of data
Mobile telecoms in Africa - statistics & facts
Mobile telecoms networks are underpinning economic growth across Africa, paving the way for the continent’s digital transformation. A lack of fixed telecommunications infrastructure in many African nations, combined with a range of local socio-economic factors, have made mobile access paramount for many African consumers and business owners, facilitating not only communication, but also everyday financial, educational, and administrative tasks. While several challenges have seen mobile adoption lag behind other global regions, progress in 4G adoption in some nations is unlocking new opportunities and prompting a surge in mobile data traffic across both sub-Saharan Africa and MENA.
Rural users are impacted by poor mobile coverage
The number of mobile internet users in Africa is estimated to have surpassed 330 million in 2024, with this figure set to more than double by the end of the decade. Despite this, many users are locked out of more advanced mobile functionality due to disparity in the quality of mobile networks, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2023, more than half of mobile internet connections in the region were 3G connections, while less than a third used superior 4G infrastructure. While cost remains a persistent barrier in some markets, many are also impacted by a lack of coverage. In 2023, more than ten percent of African residents in rural areas were without any mobile coverage whatsoever.MTN operates in key African markets
The Johannesburg-based MTN Group is a dominant player in mobile services across Africa. The operator counted almost 290 million subscribers across sub-Saharan Africa and MENA as of the second quarter of 2024, including those serviced via several joint ventures, while annual revenue for 2023 reached over 11.5 billion U.S. dollars. Africa’s largest country by population, Nigeria, accounted for the greatest share of revenue, followed by MTN’s home market of South Africa. While MTN expands its services across the region, Chinese vendors have found success in the mobile handset market. Shenzhen-based Tecno commands the greatest share of the market in Nigeria, while Oppo and Xiaomi are challenging Samsung’s position as market leader in markets such as Egypt.5G FWA could prove pivotal
The expansion of 5G networks will top the agenda moving forward. 5G fixed wireless access (5G FWA) has received particular attention, with the technology able to bring fast, stable internet to those not passed by fixed telecommunications networks. 5G FWA could enable operators to reach rural users at a cost lower than that of building fixed networks. However, with 5G rollouts currently focused on urban population centers, it will be some time before mobile technology significantly bridges the digital divide in Africa.
