INFOGRAPHIC
Rise of 5G subscriptions in Sub Saharan Africa , North Africa
The telecom sector is expanding due to a young population , affordable smartphones and rising demand for mobile data and advanced services .
Inside Sub-Saharan Africa ’ s economy , 5G subscriptions are expected to grow between 3 % and 5 % over the next five years . Despite macroeconomic challenges such as inflation , high debt and limited international financing , the telecom sector is expanding due to a young population , affordable smartphones and rising demand for mobile data and advanced services .
Mobile subscriptions are forecast to increase at an annual rate of 4 % until 2030 . The move to 4G and 5G networks will cause 2G and 3G subscriptions to decline . 4G subscriptions will represent 35 % of total mobile subscriptions by the end of 2030 . The strongest growth will occur in 5G , with subscriptions rising by 59 % annually , representing 33 % of total subscriptions by the end of the decade .
This is both due to handset evolution and network rollouts in urban areas . Service providers continue their diversification into financial technology , particularly mobile money services , and Fixed Wireless Access , FWA .
The number of smartphones is expected to rise from 540 million in 2024 to 880 million by 2030 , further driving demand for data-intensive services .
While opportunities in the sector are substantial , significant infrastructure investments and supportive regulatory frameworks will be necessary for the telecom industry to play a central role in the region ’ s digital transformation by 2030 .
Inside North Africa and Middle East , the region ’ s telecom industry continues to be resilient , despite broader economic headwinds . While geopolitical risks persist , and some currencies continue to face devaluation , ongoing economic diversification efforts are contributing to greater stability .
Mobile subscriptions in the region are projected to grow 2 % annually from 2024 to 2030 , to total 830 million . Smartphone penetration is increasing at 5 % annually , largely driven by device affordability and network expansion . This trend is reshaping the region ’ s digital landscape as more consumers gain access to advanced services such as mobile financial solutions and e-health .
5G FWA will complement fixed broadband with diverse use cases , expanding home and enterprise access options . 2G and 3G subscriptions are expected to decline , as service providers are looking into sunsetting these networks to reallocate spectrum for 4G and 5G .
By 2030 , 4G will account for 37 % of total subscriptions , while 5G will see the most significant growth and account for 60 % of total subscriptions . The expanding availability of 5G networks , coupled with growing consumer demand and more affordable devices , is expected to transform the region ’ s telecom industry over the next decade .
22 INTELLIGENTCIO AFRICA www . intelligentcio . com