Africa’s 5G Adoption Lags Despite $28 Billion Investment: Only 1% Connected in 2024
Despite pouring $28 billion into next-generation mobile networks over the past five years, only one in every 100 Africans was connected to 5G by the end of 2024. According to recent data from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and UNESCO, most mobile users across the continent continue to rely on older technologies, with 3G and 4G dominating the market. This stark contrast between investment and adoption highlights the challenges Africa faces in bridging the digital divide.
The “State of Broadband in Africa” report, released on September 11, 2025, shows that more than half of all mobile connections on the continent remain on 3G, while 4G accounts for roughly one-third of connections. Only 10% of users still rely on 2G. Analysts predict that while 3G usage will decline with the expansion of 4G, 5G penetration is expected to reach just 17% by 2030—a fraction of adoption levels in advanced global markets.
Experts warn that slow 5G adoption could limit Africa’s competitiveness in the global digital economy. High-speed internet is critical for innovation across education, healthcare, e-commerce, and industry, yet most Africans remain locked into slower technologies. Without affordable devices, wider network coverage, and supportive policies, 5G risks remaining a premium service for a small elite rather than a driver of inclusive digital transformation.
Rolling out 5G is particularly challenging in rural regions, where laying fibre is expensive and often delayed. Operators are experimenting with alternatives such as fixed wireless access and cellular backhaul to provide connectivity. In Senegal, for example, Ericsson and local partners have used fixed wireless access to bring digital tools and internet connectivity to previously unserved schools, demonstrating the social benefits of creative network solutions even before full 5G deployment.
Commercial 5G rollouts are underway, but adoption varies widely across Africa. South Africa has seen 5G penetration reach 13% of its subscriber base, while Nigeria, the continent’s largest telecom market, reports only 3.1% of active mobile lines on 5G as of September 2025. Vodacom Mozambique and Benin have also launched initial 5G services. Analysts remain optimistic, predicting $62 billion in capital expenditure on Sub-Saharan Africa’s networks between 2023 and 2030, supported by partnerships between governments and industry to build innovation ecosystems.
source: techcabal