Africa's Mobile Industry Adds $240 Billion to Economy as Internet Usage Gap Persists

Mobile technologies and services contributed an estimated $240 billion to Africa's economy in 2025, equivalent to 7.8% of gross domestic product, according to the GSMA's Mobile Economy Africa 2026 report.

The industry body's analysis puts telecommunications, digital services and related activity at the centre of economic development. Its forecast suggests the sector's contribution could reach $290 billion by 2030.

A bigger economy does not mean everyone is connected

The report also highlights a stubborn divide between network availability and meaningful internet use. Approximately 63% of Africans live within mobile broadband coverage but do not use mobile internet, while a much smaller share remains outside coverage altogether.

That distinction matters. Building a mobile network is necessary, but it is not sufficient to ensure that people have affordable smartphones, appropriate digital skills or reasons to use online services.

For a rural entrepreneur, for instance, mobile coverage offers limited benefit if the cost of a handset or data bundle absorbs too much of the business's income.

5G is growing, but 4G remains important

The GSMA expects 5G adoption to reach about 21% of Africa's mobile connections by 2030. New-generation networks may create opportunities for enterprise services and more capable applications, yet 4G affordability and coverage remain essential for mass participation.

Operators are also beginning to apply AI to customer service, network optimisation and maintenance. These use cases may lower operational costs or improve reliability, but their benefits will need to be demonstrated in practice.

Jobs, taxes and investment

The GSMA estimates the mobile ecosystem supported around 13 million jobs during 2025 and generated $45 billion in public revenues. The report also projects more than $76 billion in mobile network infrastructure investment between 2024 and 2030.

These are industry estimates and forecasts, not guarantees of future performance.

The next policy challenge

Governments can help by examining the cost of devices and data, improving digital education and creating consistent investment conditions. Businesses can contribute by designing relevant services in local languages.

For Africa's digital economy, the central question is increasingly not just whether networks exist but whether people can use them productively.

Source context: GSMA Mobile Economy Africa 2026 report discussing 2025 outcomes and forecasts to 2030.