The Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa 2018
Please sign in or register for a free public account to access this report.
For many consumers across Sub-Saharan Africa, the mobile phone is not just a communication device but also the primary channel to get online, as well as a vital tool to access various life-enhancing services. Mobile adoption in the region has grown rapidly in recent years: overall subscriber penetration reached 44% in 2017, up from just 25% at the start of this decade. Access to mobile connectivity is vital to empowering consumers and driving economic growth. The technology enhances access to many essential services, including education, health and utilities, while also enabling business models that support the efficient and sustainable delivery of key services through mobile-based platforms such as mobile money and cellular IoT.
Related research
Mobile Data Deck, Q2 2025
The GSMA Intelligence Mobile Data Deck offers a fast track to all the essential data you need to know, with key mobile metrics in one easy-to-use deck of charts. The forecasts to 2030 include connections by region and technology generation, smartphone connections and adoption, and mobile operator revenue.
Region in Focus: Middle East and North Africa, Q2 2025
The Region in Focus series provides an essential quarterly briefing on industry developments, market insights and country KPIs for mobile markets around the world. This Q2 2025 edition focuses on analysis of the latest developments for Q2 2025, while providing country KPIs for the year to March 2025.
Region in Focus: Europe, Q2 2025
The Region in Focus series provides an essential quarterly briefing on industry developments, market insights and country KPIs for mobile markets around the world. This Q2 2025 edition focuses on analysis of the latest developments for Q2 2025, while providing country KPIs for the year to March 2025.
Authors
How to access this report
Annual subscription: Subscribe to our research modules for comprehensive access to more than 200 reports per year.
Enquire about subscriptionContact our research team
Get in touch with us to find out more about our research topics and analysis.
Contact our research teamMedia
To cite our research, please see our citation policy in our Terms of Use, or contact our Media team for more information.
Learn moreRelated research
Mobile Data Deck, Q2 2025
The GSMA Intelligence Mobile Data Deck offers a fast track to all the essential data you need to know, with key mobile metrics in one easy-to-use deck of charts. The forecasts to 2030 include connections by region and technology generation, smartphone connections and adoption, and mobile operator revenue.
Region in Focus: Middle East and North Africa, Q2 2025
The Region in Focus series provides an essential quarterly briefing on industry developments, market insights and country KPIs for mobile markets around the world. This Q2 2025 edition focuses on analysis of the latest developments for Q2 2025, while providing country KPIs for the year to March 2025.
Region in Focus: Europe, Q2 2025
The Region in Focus series provides an essential quarterly briefing on industry developments, market insights and country KPIs for mobile markets around the world. This Q2 2025 edition focuses on analysis of the latest developments for Q2 2025, while providing country KPIs for the year to March 2025.
- 200 reports a year
- 50 million data points
- Over 350 metrics