A new report by the GSMA, titled ‘The Mobile Economy 2026,’ projects a significant leap in Africa’s digital landscape, with 5G connections expected to reach 21% of total subscribers by 2030.
According to the report, this represents a steady climb from the approximately 12% recorded in 2025, equating to roughly 382 million connected users across the continent.
The report noted that the surge is being driven by a combination of rising smartphone adoption, strategic infrastructure investment, and the rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) by telecommunications operators.
One of the primary barriers to high-speed connectivity in Africa has historically been the high cost of devices. However, the GSMA Coalition (G6) is actively addressing this through a pilot programme for affordable 4G smartphones priced at approximately N55,000.
While these initial devices focus on 4G, they are seen as a critical entry point to bring more Africans online, particularly in remote areas, thereby building the user base necessary for future 5G migration.
Beyond devices, the report identifies AI as a pivotal driver for 5G growth. Investment in AI chips and data centers is enabling operators to deliver faster and more reliable connectivity. According to the GSMA, this “enhanced connectivity” will boost productivity for both consumers and enterprises, providing a gateway to the Internet of Things (IoT) and the latest digital tools.
5G adoption in Africa is currently in its infancy, with less than 10% of internet users connected to the network. To bridge this gap, telecommunications companies are pivoting toward Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) as a strategic solution to bypass the continent’s limited fiber-optic coverage.
In Nigeria, MTN and Airtel have successfully migrated nearly 4% of the country’s internet connections to 5G, with MTN specifically pushing connectivity through its FibreX broadband services. Meanwhile, Ghana recently launched its first 5G network through Next Gen InfraCo (NGIC), which utilizes a shared infrastructure model to distribute the advanced network across multiple providers.
The projection that 2 in every 10 Africans will be connected to 5G by the end of the decade cements the trend of Africa’s dual growth in both user numbers and infrastructure sophistication. As telcos continue to deploy supported towers and expand 5G-enabled services, the continent is moving closer to becoming a self-sustaining digital economy.