Sub-Saharan Africa’s mobile economy projected to boom till 2030 — CSMA study

Sub-Saharan Africa is well on its way to reach 87% smartphone adoption by 2030, driven by falling prices and digital-native users, says a recent report, that also projects that the region will likely witness a surge in smartphone adoption and the rise of 5G technology.

In an era characterized by technological advancements, the mobile market in Sub-Saharan Africa is on the brink of a significant transformation, according to a report titled “The Mobile Economy 2023” released by the Global System Operators and Manufacturers Association (GSMA).

By 2030, smartphone adoption is forecasted to soar to 87% in Sub-Saharan Africa, up from 51% in 2022, while the region is expected to witness a surge in smartphone adoption and the rise of 5G technology. These developments are projected to fuel economic growth and contribute to the region’s digital revolution.

Among the key factors contributing to this rapid growth are declining prices of smartphones and the increasing number of young individuals embracing digital technologies, the GSMA report says. The mobile landscape in Sub-Saharan Africa’s is projected to undergo a transformation with a projected 213 million 5G subscriptions by 2030, accounting for 16% of all mobile subscriptions in the region, a significant increase from just 1% in 2022.

The GSMA’s findings also indicate that Sub-Saharan Africa, along with Asia-Pacific and Latin America, will see their smartphone adoption soar by the end of this year. The report concludes that as Sub-Saharan Africa embraces the smartphone revolution and realizes the potential of 5G technology, the region stands poised to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the digital era.