Africa’s Mobile Sector to Contribute $290 Billion to Economy by 2030, (GSMA)
Africa’s mobile industry will contribute an estimated $290 billion in economic value by 2030, driven by productivity gains from 5G, AI and IoT adoption. African mobile operators will invest $76. 2 billion in network infrastructure between 2025 and 2030. Mobile technologies and services generated $240 billion, or 7. 8% of Africa’s GDP,. . .
Africa’s mobile industry will contribute an estimated $290 billion in economic value by 2030, driven by productivity gains from 5G, AI and IoT adoption. African mobile operators will invest $76. 2 billion in network infrastructure between 2025 and 2030. Mobile technologies and services generated $240 billion, or 7. 8% of Africa’s GDP, in 2025 and supported nearly 13 million jobs. Africa’s mobile industry will contribute $290 billion in economic value added by 2030, supported by productivity and efficiency gains stemming from the expansion of mobile services and the growing adoption of technologies such as 5G, the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI), according to a report published on June 16 by the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA). The report, titledThe Mobile Economy Africa 2026, said the sector is undergoing a significant transformation in its operating models and value-creation strategies. After spending the past decade expanding connectivity, operators across the continent are moving beyond their traditional role as connectivity providers and positioning themselves as key partners in the digital transformation of businesses and public administrations. Operators are integrating AI into network management and customer interactions, expanding their digital service offerings and making network capabilities available to developers through standardized application programming interfaces (APIs). Approximately 79% of African operators identified becoming a digital transformation partner as their top strategic priority. The trend already appears in industry data. Mobile technologies and services generated $240 billion in economic value added in 2025, representing 7. 8% of Africa’s gross domestic product. The sector also supported nearly 13 million jobs and contributed close to $45 billion in public revenues. Productivity gains enabled by mobile technologies generated $150 billion in economic value last year, while the sector’s direct contribution reached $70 billion. Africa’s mobile industry will benefit all sectors of the economy, although some industries will gain more than others because of their capacity to adopt emerging digital technologies. By 2030, the services sector will account for about 24% of the economic benefits generated by mobile technologies, followed by manufacturing at 21% and agriculture at 20%. Public administration will capture 12% of the benefits, while construction and real estate will account for another 12%. Financial services will represent 6%, and the information and communications sector will contribute 5%. To sustain industry growth and maximize economic returns, the report emphasized the need for continued investment in mobile infrastructure and the broader digital ecosystem. Operators to Invest $76. 2 Billion in Network Infrastructure by 2030Expanded network coverage, improved affordability and faster deployment of advanced technologies such as 5G, IoT and AI will play a critical role in unlocking productivity gains and supporting more sustainable and inclusive economic growth across the continent. African operators will invest an estimated $76. 2 billion in network infrastructure between 2025 and 2030. However, the effectiveness of these investments in improving network coverage, quality and capacity will depend on regulatory frameworks and deployment costs. Countries that have reduced right-of-way costs, facilitated infrastructure sharing and strengthened regulatory stability have attracted faster and larger investment flows. Infrastructure sharing, in particular, offers a long-term solution for extending coverage in areas where independent operator investments remain commercially unviable. The report also identified the usage gap as Africa’s primary connectivity challenge. While 63% of people covered by mobile broadband networks still do not use mobile internet services, only 9% of the continent’s population lacks network coverage. Several factors explain the gap, including handset costs, data prices, limited digital skills and deeply rooted social barriers that influence who can access the internet within households and communities. As a result, the report argued that Africa’s main challenge no longer centers on expanding network coverage but on increasing mobile internet adoption. In this environment, mobile operators are playing an increasingly important role in promoting digital access and encouraging meaningful usage. The most effective approaches combine affordable device programs, digital skills training, online safety awareness initiatives and community-based actions that address barriers extending beyond affordability alone. Several operators have already launched initiatives to reduce the usage gap. In March 2026, MTN Ghana partnered with Infinix to launch the Note 60 smartphone series, offering six-month installment plans and 2 gigabytes of free monthly data with each device. In Ethiopia, Ethio Telecom partnered with local banks to provide handset financing through its Telebirr platform, allowing customers to purchase devices through unsecured installment payments. The report also projected that 5G penetration in Africa will reach 21% by 2030, equivalent to 383 million 5G connections, supported by accelerating deployments across the continent’s leading markets. This article was initially published in French by Walid KéfiAdapted in English by Ange J. A de Berry Quenum