Only one in four of mobile subscribers in Sub-Saharan Africa use mobile internet, according to GSMA Intelligence’s The Mobile Economy in Sub-Saharan Africa 2023 report. The cost of smartphones is a key reason why.

Smartphones comprise only 51% of mobile connections in Sub-Saharan Africa and many people who live in areas with coverage still don’t use mobile internet.

As of 2022, only about 15% of people lived in areas that aren’t covered by mobile networks, and they are mainly remote or rural.

The technology in most parts of the continent is predominantly 2G and 3G. South Africa is in the process of retiring 2G and 3G. But things are changing rapidly. 4G connections are expected to almost double by 2030 to 49% of total connections, the GSMA says.