Realising the potential of 5G in Africa

Tuesday 25 Oct 2022 |

Realising the potential of 5G in Africa image

5G in Africa is a matter of when, not if. The decision on when to launch 5G is often based on a number of factors in the local market that reflect the readiness of operators to roll out 5G networks and readiness of customers (consumers and enterprises) to adopt 5G services and 5G-enabled solutions. In Africa, the present-day scenario suggests that 5G mass-market readiness is some way off.

Despite a sizeable market opportunity of a total population of more than 1.3 billion people in total, with most individual markets having populations of 5 million or more, 4G is still in infancy (accounting for just 25% of connections, on average, compared to 60% globally) and affordability of devices and digital literacy remain challenges.