{"id":3124,"date":"2026-06-16T07:56:50","date_gmt":"2026-06-16T07:56:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/?page_id=3124"},"modified":"2026-06-25T13:24:22","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T13:24:22","slug":"africa","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/africa\/","title":{"rendered":"The Mobile Economy Africa 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-gsma-main-page-hero hero_block gsma-load-hidden\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover is-light hero_container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-3123\" alt=\"Two people sit together on a bus, smiling as they look at a mobile phone. One wears sunglasses on her head and a white shirt; the other has large glasses, headphones around her neck, and a pink striped shirt. Empty bus seats and windows are visible in the background.\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Mobile-Economy-Africa-web.png\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Mobile-Economy-Africa-web.png 1440w, https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Mobile-Economy-Africa-web-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Mobile-Economy-Africa-web-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Mobile-Economy-Africa-web-768x432.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-10 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<h1 id=\"h-the-mobile-economy-africa-2026\" class=\"wp-block-heading hero_title\">The Mobile Economy Africa 2026<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"hero_sub-title wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button hero_button-main mb-2\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/The-Mobile-Economy-Africa-2026.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">View English report<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/The-Mobile-Economy-Africa-2026-infographic.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">View infographic<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/160626-Mobile-Economy-Africa-2026-FRENCH.pdf\">View French report <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group hero_group_container\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns gsma-block_updates_slider_container has-gsma-black-color has-gsma-light-grey-background-color has-text-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-gsma-block-number number-block_container\" style=\"font-size:60px\"><div class=\"number-prepend\"><\/div><div class=\"number js-odometer odometer odometer-auto-theme\" data-odovalue=\"28\" data-odostart=\"0\"><\/div><div class=\"number-append\">%<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-preformatted\">of Africa's population connected to mobile internet in 2025<\/pre>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-gsma-block-number number-block_container\" style=\"font-size:px\"><div class=\"number-prepend\">$<\/div><div class=\"number js-odometer odometer odometer-auto-theme\" data-odovalue=\"240\" data-odostart=\"0\"><\/div><div class=\"number-append\">BN<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-preformatted\">contributed to the African economy in 2025<\/pre>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-gsma-block-number number-block_container\" style=\"font-size:60px\"><div class=\"number-prepend\"><\/div><div class=\"number js-odometer odometer odometer-auto-theme\" data-odovalue=\"383\" data-odostart=\"0\"><\/div><div class=\"number-append\">M<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-preformatted\">5G connections expected in Africa by 2030<\/pre>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-uncover-key-trends-in-africa-s-mobile-industry\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Uncover key trends in Africa&#8217;s mobile industry<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2025, mobile technologies and services contributed $240 billion to Africa&#8217;s economy, equivalent to 7.8% of GDP. This contribution is forecast to reach $290 billion by 2030, driven by the continued expansion of 4G, 5G and AI. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite widespread coverage, almost 1 billion people in Africa are still not using mobile internet, representing 63% of the population. Mobile operators are working to close this usage gap by tackling key barriers, such as device affordability, limited digital skills and a lack of relevant content; initiatives include handset financing schemes and digital literacy programmes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Following years of policy development and planning, operators are shifting from AI strategy to deployment, for purposes including predictive maintenance, network optimisation and customer service. The industry is also working to address Africa&#8217;s AI language gap and build the continent&#8217;s digital ecosystem, to support AI deployments at scale. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Mobile Economy Africa report examines key trends shaping the region&#8217;s mobile industry, including the state of connectivity, AI, the usage gap, <a href=\"https:\/\/open-gateway.gsma.com\/\">GSMA Open Gateway<\/a> and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-regional-reports\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Regional reports<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-gsma-navigation-tiles navigation-tiles_block gsma-load-hidden\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns navigation-tiles_columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center nav-tiles_column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h5 id=\"h-asia-pacific\" class=\"wp-block-heading nav-tiles_heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/asiapacific\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Asia Pacific<\/a><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column nav-tiles_column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h5 id=\"h-china\" class=\"wp-block-heading nav-tiles_heading\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/china\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">China <\/a><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column nav-tiles_column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h5 id=\"h-europe\" class=\"wp-block-heading nav-tiles_heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/europe\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Europe <\/a><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column nav-tiles_column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h5 id=\"h-latin-america\" class=\"wp-block-heading nav-tiles_heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/latam\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Latin America <\/a><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-gsma-navigation-tiles navigation-tiles_block gsma-load-hidden\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns navigation-tiles_columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center nav-tiles_column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h5 id=\"h-middle-east-amp-north-africa\" class=\"wp-block-heading nav-tiles_heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/mena\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Middle East &amp; North Africa <\/a><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column nav-tiles_column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h5 id=\"h-north-america\" class=\"wp-block-heading nav-tiles_heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/northamerica\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> North America <\/a><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column nav-tiles_column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h5 id=\"h-eurasia\" class=\"wp-block-heading nav-tiles_heading\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/eurasia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Eurasia <\/a><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column nav-tiles_column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h5 id=\"h-global\" class=\"wp-block-heading nav-tiles_heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Global<\/a><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-download-previous-reports\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Download previous reports<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-gsma-report-carousel report-carousel_block gsma-load-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Report carousel\"><div class=\"report-carousel_prev-button\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Previous slide\"><\/div><div class=\"report-carousel_container\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group report-carousel_thumbnail gsma-load-hidden\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full report-carousel_thumbnail_img\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/ME-SSA-2018.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"595\" height=\"841\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ME-Africa-2018.jpg\" alt=\"Cover of a report titled &quot;The Mobile Economy: Sub-Saharan Africa 2018.&quot; The background features abstract, layered waves in shades of purple and pink. The GSMA logo appears in the top left corner. Copyright notice at the bottom reads &quot;\u00a9 2018 GSMA Association.\" class=\"wp-image-3137\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ME-Africa-2018.jpg 595w, https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ME-Africa-2018-212x300.jpg 212w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 595px) 100vw, 595px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button report-carousel_thumbnail_link\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/ME-SSA-2018.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>2018<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group report-carousel_thumbnail gsma-load-hidden\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full report-carousel_thumbnail_img\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/ME-SSA-2019.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"595\" height=\"841\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ME-Africa-2019.jpg\" alt=\"Cover of a report titled \u201cThe Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa 2019\u201d by GSMA. It shows a smiling man wearing glasses and a button-down shirt, looking at his mobile phone. The background has shades of purple and blue geometric shapes.\" class=\"wp-image-3138\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ME-Africa-2019.jpg 595w, https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ME-Africa-2019-212x300.jpg 212w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 595px) 100vw, 595px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button report-carousel_thumbnail_link\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/ME-SSA-2019.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>2019<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group report-carousel_thumbnail\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full report-carousel_thumbnail_img\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/ME-SSA-2020.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"595\" height=\"841\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ME-Africa-2020.jpg\" alt=\"A smiling woman wearing a headwrap talks on a mobile phone. The GSMA logo is in the top left. Bold white text reads: &quot;The Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa 2020.&quot; Abstract purple and pink curved lines are at the bottom.\" class=\"wp-image-3139\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ME-Africa-2020.jpg 595w, https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ME-Africa-2020-212x300.jpg 212w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 595px) 100vw, 595px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button report-carousel_thumbnail_link\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/ME-SSA-2020.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>2020<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group report-carousel_thumbnail\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full report-carousel_thumbnail_img\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/ME-SSA-2021.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"595\" height=\"841\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ME-Africa-2021.jpg\" alt=\"A person in colourful, patterned clothing holds and uses a smartphone. Text over a purple patterned overlay reads: \u201cThe Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa 2021.\u201d GSMA logo is at the top left.\" class=\"wp-image-3141\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ME-Africa-2021.jpg 595w, https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ME-Africa-2021-212x300.jpg 212w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 595px) 100vw, 595px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button report-carousel_thumbnail_link\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/ME-SSA-2021.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>2021<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group report-carousel_thumbnail\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full report-carousel_thumbnail_img\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/ME-SSA-2022.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"595\" height=\"841\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ME-Africa-2022.jpg\" alt=\"A smiling man and woman take a selfie together outdoors. The cover text reads &quot;The Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa 2022&quot; with the GSMA logo in the top left. Pink and purple diagonal lines decorate the bottom of the image.\" class=\"wp-image-3142\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ME-Africa-2022.jpg 595w, https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ME-Africa-2022-212x300.jpg 212w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 595px) 100vw, 595px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button report-carousel_thumbnail_link\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/ME-SSA-2022.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>2022<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group report-carousel_thumbnail\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full report-carousel_thumbnail_img\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/ME-SSA-2023.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"595\" height=\"841\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ME-Africa-2023.jpg\" alt=\"Two smiling Black adults stand close together outdoors, looking at a mobile phone. The woman holds the phone, and both appear happy. Text on the image reads: &quot;The Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa 2023.&quot; The GSMA logo is at the top left.\" class=\"wp-image-3143\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ME-Africa-2023.jpg 595w, https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ME-Africa-2023-212x300.jpg 212w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 595px) 100vw, 595px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button report-carousel_thumbnail_link\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/ME-SSA-2023.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>2023<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group report-carousel_thumbnail\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full report-carousel_thumbnail_img\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/The-Mobile-Economy-Sub-Saharan-Africa-2024.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"595\" height=\"841\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ME-Africa-2024.jpg\" alt=\"A smiling man and woman take a selfie outdoors with a mobile phone. The image features the text: \u201cThe Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa 2024\u201d and the GSMA logo in the top left corner. The mood is friendly and positive, highlighting connection and technology.\" class=\"wp-image-3144\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ME-Africa-2024.jpg 595w, https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ME-Africa-2024-212x300.jpg 212w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 595px) 100vw, 595px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button report-carousel_thumbnail_link\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/The-Mobile-Economy-Sub-Saharan-Africa-2024.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>2024<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group report-carousel_thumbnail\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full report-carousel_thumbnail_img\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/GSMA_AFRICA_ME2025_R_Web-3.pdf\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"595\" height=\"841\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ME-Africa-2025.jpg\" alt=\"Three young adults, two men and one woman, smile and look at a mobile phone together outdoors. Text on the image reads: &quot;The Mobile Economy Africa 2025&quot; with GSMA logo at the top. The background is a clear blue sky.\" class=\"wp-image-3145\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ME-Africa-2025.jpg 595w, https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ME-Africa-2025-212x300.jpg 212w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 595px) 100vw, 595px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button report-carousel_thumbnail_link\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/GSMA_AFRICA_ME2025_R_Web-3.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>2025<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"report-carousel_next-button\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Next slide\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<style>\n@media screen and (max-width: 480px) {\n.hero_container {\nbackground-image: url(https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Mobile-Economy-Africa-mobile-1.png);\n    background-repeat: no-repeat;\n    background-size: contain;\n}\n.hero_container img {\ndisplay: none;\n}\n}\n<\/style>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Uncover key trends in Africa&#8217;s mobile industry In 2025, mobile technologies and services contributed $240 billion to Africa&#8217;s economy, equivalent to 7.8% of GDP. This contribution is forecast to reach $290 billion by 2030, driven by the continued expansion of 4G, 5G and AI. Despite widespread coverage, almost 1 billion people in Africa are still [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3124","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.4 (Yoast SEO v27.9) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The Mobile Economy Africa 2026 - The Mobile Economy<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The GSMA Mobile Economy Africa examines key trends shaping the region&#039;s mobile industry, including the state of connectivity, energy and AI.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/africa\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Mobile Economy Africa 2026\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The GSMA Mobile Economy Africa examines key trends shaping the region&#039;s mobile industry, including the state of connectivity, energy and AI.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/africa\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Mobile Economy\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-06-25T13:24:22+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/mobile-economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Mobile-Economy-Africa-web.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1440\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"810\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"The Mobile Economy Africa 2026 - 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