3 articles · Updated · Business Insider Africa · Jun 17
Summary
Nearly 1 billion Africans—63% of the population—live within mobile broadband coverage but do not use mobile internet, while only about 9% remain outside coverage, GSMA said in its Mobile Economy Africa 2026 report.
Affordability is now the main barrier: high smartphone prices, data costs, limited digital skills, online safety concerns and social constraints are keeping people offline even as networks reach most of the continent.
Mobile technologies still contributed $240 billion to Africa's economy in 2025—7.8% of GDP—supporting 13 million jobs and generating $45 billion in public revenue.
Operators are responding by shifting beyond basic connectivity into AI, fintech and digital services, while still planning more than $76 billion of network investment from 2025 to 2030 for 4G, 5G and fibre.
GSMA projects mobile's economic contribution will rise to $290 billion by 2030, but says Africa's digital gains now depend more on closing the usage gap than on extending coverage.