Africa’s 5G Paradox: $28 Billion Investment, 1% Adoption
Despite a colossal $28 billion poured into advanced mobile network infrastructure across Africa over the past five years, a mere one percent of the continent’s population was connected to 5G technology in 2024. This stark revelation, stemming from recent data compiled by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and UNESCO, highlights a significant disconnect between substantial capital investments in next-generation networks and the actual rate of consumer uptake. The figures underscore that the vast majority of African mobile users continue to rely on older, more established mobile technologies.
The Lagging Digital Landscape and Future Projections
The “State of Broadband in Africa” report, released on September 11, 2025, paints a clear picture of the continent’s current mobile connectivity landscape. By the close of 2024, more than half of all mobile connections across Africa were still on 3G networks. While 4G saw some growth, constituting roughly one-third of all connections, a notable ten percent of users remained on even older 2G technology. Although there’s an anticipated decline in 3G usage as 4G expands its reach, the outlook for 5G adoption remains modest. Projections indicate that by 2030, 5G penetration will reach only about 17 percent – a stark contrast to advanced global markets where the adoption of this high-speed technology is accelerating rapidly. This notably slow transition points to an intensifying digital divide.
This persistent lag in migrating to advanced mobile networks presents a critical challenge for Africa’s digital future. The substantial investment in 5G infrastructure has not yet translated into widespread consumer benefit, risking the continent’s ability to fully participate in the global digital economy. Overcoming this gap between infrastructure rollout and user adoption is paramount to unlocking the full potential of digital transformation for millions of Africans and ensuring equitable access to next-generation connectivity.
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