• Mobile coverage grew by 40M people in 2024, mostly in Africa
• Sub-Saharan Africa has lowest mobile internet usage, at 25%
• High data costs, rural gaps, and gender divide hinder adoption

Global mobile coverage expanded to reach 40 million more people in 2024, with 75% of that growth occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. This is according to the annual report on mobile connectivity, "The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2025," published on Tuesday, September 9, by the GSM Association (GSMA).

While a large portion of the world's population now lives within a broadband mobile network's reach, nearly 10% remain completely excluded, primarily in rural areas. This digital divide makes sub-Saharan Africa the least covered region in the world.

Despite progress in infrastructure, the actual use of mobile internet remains low. Only one in four people (25%) in the region use mobile internet on their own devices—the lowest rate in the world. For adults aged 18 and over, this figure rises to 42%.

The region also remains heavily dependent on older telecommunications networks. Third-generation (3G) technology is still dominant, and only one country, South Africa, plans to phase out its 2G and 3G networks. Such a transition depends on favorable spectrum policies and operators' ability to help users migrate to 4G or 5G-compatible devices.

Barriers to Adoption

The primary barrier to adoption remains the high cost of mobile data. According to the World Bank, people in sub-Saharan Africa pay an average of 2.4% of their monthly income for 1GB of data, a rate higher than the 2% threshold recommended by the United Nations for affordable access.

This situation is particularly acute in certain countries, such as Burundi, where the cumulative cost of data and telephony services can reach 53.1% of gross national income per capita. Chad (38.6%), the Democratic Republic of Congo (31%), and Zimbabwe (28.6%) are also among the hardest hit, according to the International Telecommunication Union.

Geographic and social inequalities present another major obstacle. Adults in rural areas are 25% less likely to use mobile internet than their urban counterparts. This gap widens to 48% in sub-Saharan Africa, one of the highest in the world. Women remain 14% less likely than men to be connected via mobile, a proportion that has remained virtually unchanged since 2023. These disparities limit access to essential digital services, hinder economic inclusion, and prevent many Africans from fully benefiting from the opportunities offered by digital transformation.

Benefits of Expanded Mobile Connectivity

According to the GSMA, increased mobile internet usage could generate up to $795 billion for the African economy by 2030. Improved mobile broadband coverage and adoption could fundamentally reshape the continent's economic and social landscape, boosting GDP, social inclusion, digital education, e-health, and mobile finance. For Africa, this is a strategic lever to reduce inequality, enhance competitiveness, and accelerate digital transformation, paving the way for full integration into the global economy.

Samira Njoya