Powering Progress through Connectivity: GSMA's Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa Report Calls for Action to Close the Digital Divide
07.08.2025 - 17:58:10Powering Progress through Connectivity: GSMA's Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa Report Calls for Action to Close the Digital Divide. GSMA Benin Burkina Faso Burundi Cameroon Chad Comoros Cote d'Ivoire Djibouti Ethiopia Gabon Gambia Ghana Guinea Equatorial Guinea Kenya Liberia Madagascar Mali Niger Namibia Nigeria Central African Republic Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, The Republic of the Senegal Sierra Leone South Africa Sudan Tanzania Tonga Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe Algeria Angola Botswana Cape Verde Egypt Eritrea Guinea-Bissau Lesotho Libya Malawi Mauritania Mauritius Morocco Mozambique Rwanda Sao Tome and Principe Seychelles South Sudan Swaziland Togo Tunisia
As digitalisation accelerates, the report highlights that 4G expansion is set to drive connectivity, projected to account for half of all connections by 2030. However, a significant coverage gap remains, with 13% of the population still unreached, and a 60% usage gap affecting those who live within coverage areas but face barriers to get online, such as unaffordable devices, limited digital skills, or online safety concerns.
In addition to these connectivity challenges, the region faces high operating costs, inflationary pressures, and energy price volatility. Despite these obstacles, emerging trends such as generative AI and satellite partnerships present innovative solutions to bridge gaps across sectors. Broader API solutions, such as GSMA Open Gateway, which recently launched security APIs in South Africa, are poised to enhance digital security and simplify services as these initiatives expand regionally. Addressing these issues is essential to unlocking the socio-economic potential of mobile connectivity in Sub-Saharan Africa.
"Our findings this year reveal both the extraordinary potential and the challenges facing Sub-Saharan Africa's mobile ecosystem," said Angela Wamola, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa, GSMA. "To fully realise the benefits of connectivity, it is essential for operators, policymakers, and stakeholders to address affordability barriers, support infrastructure expansion, and foster collaborations that drive digital inclusion and economic impact."
Read the full press release here.
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