Africa’s Mobile Internet Market Heats Up as Demand Surges
TLDR
- With a 27% mobile internet penetration rate and rising demand, Africa’s mobile telecom market is highly competitive
- The top five operators—MTN, Orange, Airtel, Maroc Telecom, and Vodafone—control most of the market
- Despite high video consumption (91.8% watch weekly), only 320 million of 1.1 billion people use mobile internet in Sub-Saharan Africa
With a 27% mobile internet penetration rate and rising demand, Africa’s mobile telecom market is highly competitive. The top five operators—MTN, Orange, Airtel, Maroc Telecom, and Vodafone—control most of the market, but over 150 players are competing for space.
MTN leads with 150 million mobile internet users in 15 countries, followed by Orange (90M) and Airtel (66M, 14 countries). Vodafone dominates East Africa through Safaricom and Vodacom, while Maroc Telecom focuses on West and Central Africa.
Fierce competition has led to aggressive price cuts, reducing data costs significantly. In Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, and Cameroon, the price per gigabyte dropped from $5 in 2020 to $1-$2 in 2024. However, this pricing pressure has slowed investment in 4G and 5G infrastructure. Despite high video consumption (91.8% watch weekly), only 320 million of 1.1 billion people use mobile internet in Sub-Saharan Africa. Infrastructure investment remains critical as broadband penetration is projected to double by 2030.
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Key Takeaways
Africa’s mobile internet adoption is booming, but low margins threaten infrastructure expansion. Telecom operators struggle to balance affordability with network upgrades, particularly in ECOWAS, where 4G penetration is expected to jump from 26% to 48% by 2030. Video consumption drives demand, yet many lack reliable access due to cost constraints, political instability, and infrastructure gaps. Nigeria’s recent 50% tariff increase highlights operators’ struggles to sustain networks under pricing pressure. Despite challenges, investment in fiber, 4G, and 5G is critical. The winners in Africa’s mobile internet battle will be those who balance affordability with infrastructure investment, ensuring long-term network growth while meeting the continent’s rising digital demand.
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