The African continent has experienced an unprecedented technological revolution in recent decades, and the rise of mobile telephony is a clear example. The rapid evolution of telecommunications networks, with the announced advent of 5G in sub-Saharan Africa, promises to once again revolutionize the connection of populations across the continent.
According to the report published by the Swedish telecommunications equipment giant, the deployment of 5G is expected to experience exponential growth in the region over the next decade. With a forecast of increasing from 26 million subscriptions in 2024 to 420 million subscriptions in 2030, representing an average annual growth of 56%, 5G is expected to quickly establish itself as an essential standard in the African telecommunications landscape.
This rapid expansion of 5G in Sub-Saharan Africa is largely driven by the acceleration of network deployment in urban areas, as well as the increasing availability of compatible devices at more affordable prices. This trend is expected to see 5G account for approximately 33% of all mobile network subscriptions in the region by 2030, a figure far exceeding previous projections.
In parallel, the share of 4G subscriptions is expected to decline from 40% in 2024 to 35% in 2030. Earlier generations, such as 3G and 2G, will also see their importance decline, together accounting for only 32% of total mobile subscriptions by the end of the decade.
Ultimately, the total number of mobile phone subscriptions in Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to reach 1.25 billion by 2030, the highest average annual growth rate in the world. These figures demonstrate the extraordinary expansion of telecommunications technologies in the region and their positive impact on the connectivity and socio-economic development of populations.
In conclusion, the advent of 5G in Sub-Saharan Africa opens up exciting new perspectives in terms of connectivity, innovation and progress. This technological revolution promises to profoundly transform the telecommunications landscape in the region and offer new opportunities for populations in terms of development and accessibility to digital services.