- The number of mobile subscriptions in sub-Saharan Africa is expected to exceed 1.1 billion by the end of 2029.
- 5G will be the fastest growing subscription type at 60% annually from 2023 to 2029.
- 85% of the world’s population will have access to 5G coverage by the end of 2029
The November 2023 edition of the Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) Mobility Report predicts that total mobile subscriptions in sub-Saharan Africa will grow 3% annually from 940 million in 2023 to 1.1 billion in 2029 . 5G will be the fastest growing contract type. It grew at a rate of 60% per year from 2023 to 2029, rising from 11 million in 2023 to 180 million by the end of 2029, accounting for 16% of the total connections at that time.
Sub-Saharan Africa’s telecommunications sector remains resilient as connectivity is essential to enable services such as voice and data communications, as well as banking. Growth drivers for the region include a positive economic outlook and advanced regulatory measures to expand network coverage.
By 2029, 4G subscriptions will account for 49% of total contracts as access to low-cost smartphones and data services increases across the region. 2G contracts are expected to maintain a large share of the total number of contracts at 27%, mainly because much of the region’s population is in rural areas. Service providers in sub-Saharan Africa are also considering additional services on mobile platforms, including healthcare, education, and e-commerce.
Hossam Qandeel, Ericsson Middle East and Africa Vice President and Head of Global Customer Unit MTN and Customer Unit MTN Africa, said: Regions with the highest growth in total mobile data traffic during the forecast period. This growth will be driven by the expansion of his 4G network coverage across the continent and the increasing affordability of data and smartphones. Together with our partners, we are fully committed to sub-Saharan Africa’s digitalization journey. ”
Fixed wireless access is emerging as a critical technology to meet Africa’s growing broadband demand. Several major African markets have already launched 5G FWA services, including South Africa, Angola, Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. This change can be attributed to its cost efficiency, rapid deployment capabilities, and inherent flexibility.
The report also predicts that over the six years from the end of 2023 to 2029, the number of global 5G subscribers will increase by more than 330%, from 1.6 billion to 5.3 billion. 5G coverage is expected to be available to more than 45 percent of the world’s population by the end of 2023 and more than 85 percent by the end of 2029. North America and the Gulf Cooperation Council are expected to have the highest regional 5G penetration rates by the end of the year, with a penetration rate of 92% in 2029, followed by Western Europe with an 85% penetration rate. I am.
