• Africa’s smartphone shipments rose 7% in Q2 2025 to 19.2 million units.
• Sub-$100 models surged 38% year-on-year, fueling adoption in rural markets.
• Samsung, Xiaomi and HONOR expand aggressively as local assembly gains traction.

Smartphone shipments in Africa rose 7% in the second quarter of 2025 to 19.2 million units, driven by surging demand for low-cost devices, according to Canalys, now part of Omdia.

Models priced below $100 jumped 38% from a year earlier as vendors targeted rural consumers, Canalys said in its Africa Smartphone Market Q2 2025 report. The continent’s smartphone penetration remains at around 50%, with affordability still the main barrier to adoption.

“Affordability remains the greatest barrier, forcing vendors to double down on ultra-low-cost models, device financing schemes and localized strategies,” said Manish Pravinkumar, principal analyst at Canalys.

Samsung expanded shipments by 3% as it grew beyond South Africa into Egypt and Nigeria with locally distributed, affordable models like the Galaxy A06. Xiaomi shipments surged 32%, fueled by strong sales in Nigeria and Egypt, aggressive channel expansion and its Redmi C line’s popularity in West Africa. HONOR also gained traction with budget and mid-tier devices such as the X7c and 400 Lite.

The report highlighted a strategic shift toward “Made in Africa” manufacturing to cut costs and leverage regional trade deals. Current efforts are concentrated on assembly, with hubs in Egypt and Ethiopia, smaller ecosystems in Uganda and Angola, and growing ambitions in Kenya, Zambia and Mozambique.

Canalys forecasts smartphone shipments in Africa will grow 3% in 2025, outpacing a stagnant global market despite rising component costs. Between 2025 and 2029, annual average growth is projected at 2.1%.

Feature phones remain widespread among low-income households, valued for low prices, long battery life and USSD-based mobile money services. But analysts warn their dominance could slow digital transformation, limiting uptake of mobile broadband, apps and 4G/5G networks.

Isaac K. Kassouwi