28 October 2025
A new report by the Global Mobile Operators Association (GSMA) projects a significant shift in Africa’s mobile landscape over the next five years.
The report, titled The Mobile Economy Africa 2025, forecasts that fourth and fifth generation mobile technologies, 4G and 5G, will dominate the continent’s connectivity landscape by 2030, accounting for 75% of all connections. This is a notable increase from 47% in 2024, reflecting rapid adoption driven by extensive network expansion and technological advancements.
The data indicates that 4G connections will grow from 45% of the total in 2024 to 54% by 2030, while 5G will see a swift rise from a mere 2% last year to a substantial 21% by decade’s end. Conversely, reliance on older technologies is expected to decline sharply, with 2G’s share dropping from 15% in 2024 to just 4% in 2030, essentially phasing out. Similarly, 3G’s prevalence will decrease from 37% to 21%, highlighting a shift toward faster, more capable networks.
This rapid migration is expected to be fuelled by estimated investments of around $77 billion from telecom operators in deploying and upgrading next-generation networks between 2024 and 2030. As a result, mobile internet penetration is projected to reach 33% by 2030, translating to approximately 576 million users — up from 28% and 416 million users in 2014. The total number of unique mobile subscribers is anticipated to increase to 915 million, representing 53% of the population, compared to 710 million in 2024.
Despite these advancements, a significant digital divide remains. Nearly half of Africans are expected not to use mobile services at all, and 77% will remain unconnected to mobile internet by 2030, even though network coverage exceeds 90%. Addressing barriers such as high device costs and limited digital skills will require coordinated efforts among governments, international organisations, donors, and the mobile industry to ensure broader access and adoption.
Economically, the mobile sector already contributes substantially to Africa’s GDP, with a 2024 contribution of $220 billion, or 7.7%, driven largely by productivity gains valued at $120 billion and direct sector contributions estimated at $60 billion. By 2030, this contribution is projected to increase to $270 billion, representing about 7.4% of GDP. The growth is expected to be propelled by the adoption of advanced digital technologies like 5G, the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI).
The report highlights that mobile technology’s benefits will permeate many sectors across sub-Saharan Africa. By 2030, approximately 24% of economic gains are expected to come from the services sector, including e-commerce, online medical consultations, and e-learning. The industrial sector will account for about 21%, through smart factories, automation, and augmented reality, while agriculture will contribute around 20%, via online weather forecasts, precision irrigation, and crop monitoring. Other sectors such as public administration, construction, finance, and ICT will also see notable benefits.
Furthermore, mobile telephony continues to be a significant revenue source for African governments, with over $30 billion collected in taxes last year. This includes VAT, sales taxes, excise duties, and customs duties, with $12 billion coming from taxes on mobile phones alone. In 2024, the entire mobile ecosystem — comprising operators, infrastructure companies, and content providers — contributed nearly 10% of the continent’s total tax revenue, underscoring its economic importance and role in government finances.
