Ericsson Report: Africa takes lead as 85% of global population expected to have 5G access by 2029

The November 2023 release of the Ericsson Mobility Report predicts that by 2029, 5G access will reach 85% of the world’s population, with Africa taking the lead in this advancement. This surge in mobile subscriptions across Sub-Saharan Africa is attributed to positive economic prospects and proactive regulatory measures aimed at enhancing network coverage, driven by the growing necessity for voice, data, and essential services like banking.

According to the report, 4G subscriptions are expected to constitute 49% of the total by 2029, while 2G subscriptions will maintain a significant share at 27%, primarily due to the region’s predominantly rural population.

Fixed Wireless Access is emerging as a crucial technology to meet Africa’s rising broadband needs, with key markets like South Africa, Angola, Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, and Zimbabwe already rolling out 5G FWA services. This transition is fueled by its cost-effectiveness, speedy deployment, and inherent adaptability.
Hossam Kandeel, Vice President and Head of Global Customer Unit MTN and Customer Unit MTN Africa at Ericsson Middle East and Africa, highlights that Sub-Saharan Africa is poised to lead in total mobile data traffic growth, driven by expanding 4G coverage and the increasing affordability of data and smartphones.

Ericsson’s report projects a substantial surge in global 5G subscriptions, with estimates indicating a more than 330% increase from 1.6 billion to 5.3 billion between the end of 2023 and 2029. By the end of 2023, 5G coverage is expected to reach over 45% of the global population, rising to 85% by the end of 2029.