• 5G seen as key to handling Africa’s data surge
• 5G promises high-speed data, but rural access still lags
• Cost, infrastructure, and device prices hinder mass adoption

Morocco has announced an investment plan of $8.9 billion to deploy a nationwide 5G network, joining nearly 30 other African countries that have already begun commercial rollout of the technology. While the fifth generation of mobile networks promises a digital revolution, its implementation across the continent raises questions about whether it will solve existing problems with internet access.

The Promise of High-Speed Performance

Fifth-generation networks, or 5G, offer theoretical download speeds of up to 20 Gbps and upload speeds of 10 Gbps, a dramatic increase from the 4G average of 100 Mbps. This significant boost in bandwidth could enable data intensive uses such as ultra high definition streaming, remote surgery, virtual reality, and autonomous vehicles. The technology also reduces latency to less than 10 milliseconds, one-fifth that of 4G, making real time applications feasible on a wider scale.

Beyond speeds, 5G can support up to 1 million connected devices per square kilometer, compared to approximately 100,000 for 4G. This capacity is vital for the expansion of the Internet of Things, especially in densely populated urban areas. It also has industrial applications, including agricultural sensors, smart energy management, and logistics tracking.

Innovations like carrier aggregation and spectrum sharing allow 5G to optimize existing infrastructure. It can be built on top of existing 4G radio sites, enabling a gradual increase in capacity without a massive rise in fixed costs. This incremental approach simplifies the rollout process.

According to the GSMA, mobile data traffic in Africa is projected to increase fivefold between 2023 and 2030, rising from 4 exabytes to over 20 exabytes annually. As a result, 5G is seen as an essential solution to absorb this exponential growth.

The Hidden Limits of a Cutting-Edge Technology

Despite its potential, 5G will not solve every problem. In 2023, nearly 40% of the African population, or 500 million people, lacked access to 3G or 4G, the minimum required for basic mobile internet use. The deployment of 5G remains concentrated in major cities, capitals, and economic hubs. Meanwhile, rural areas, where 60% of the population lives, remain largely unconnected.

Cost is another significant barrier. The average price of a 5G compatible smartphone is over $150, yet the average per capita income in many African countries remains below $1,000 annually, according to the World Bank. The higher cost of 5G data plans also limits adoption in a market where most mobile internet is consumed through prepaid data packs with limited volumes.

For most users, common applications such as messaging, social media, and video streaming already function well on 4G. Without content or applications specifically optimized for 5G, the value added for the average user is limited, which slows adoption and enthusiasm for the new technology.

Finally, 5G deployment requires significant investment. This includes constructing new antennas, laying fiber optic cables for backhaul, and acquiring often expensive frequency licenses. A 2022 study by Ericsson estimated the basic cost of 5G deployment at $3 billion to $8 billion per country, with an additional 20% to 35% investment needed to expand network coverage. These costs may incentivize operators to prioritize profitable urban areas, thereby worsening the digital divide between cities and rural regions.

Isaac K. Kassouwi