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Operators across the continent are moving beyond their traditional role as connectivity providers: they are repositioning themselves as full-stack digital partners for enterprises and governments; deploying AI across networks and customer operations; and opening network capabilities to developers through standardised APIs. This evolution is already reflected in the numbers. In 2025, mobile technologies and services generated $240 billion in economic value across Africa, rising to $290 billion by 2030.

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 edition focuses on analysis of the latest developments for Q1 2026 while providing KPIs for the year to December 2025.

The mobile industry underpins global connectivity, enabling seamless communication, real‑time data exchange and an expansive ecosystem of consumer and enterprise applications. While extending ubiquitous connectivity through advanced 4G and 5G networks remains a core priority, the industry is also entering a new era shaped by intelligent, adaptive and value‑added digital services. This shift is being enabled by next‑generation mobile networks, such as 5G standalone architectures, and the rapid integration of AI and other transformative technologies across consumer applications and enterprise solutions.

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 edition focuses on analysis of the latest developments for Q4 2025 while providing KPIs for the year to September 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 edition focuses on analysis of the latest developments for Q3 2025, while providing country KPIs for the year to June 2025.

Mobile connectivity is a cornerstone for building modern, inclusive and sustainable digital economies in Africa. It also enables transformative technologies such as AI to be integrated into the daily activities of individuals and businesses. Additionally, the mobile ecosystem has become a critical driver of economic growth, helping countries navigate structural challenges such as infrastructure gaps, energy constraints, affordability pressures and shifting demographics.

5G momentum continues to build in Africa. As of September 2025, 53 operators in 29 markets across the region had launched commercial 5G mobile services, while 25 African operators have launched 5G fixed wireless access commercial services. To capitalise on the promise of 5G, operators require enabling policy environments. This report highlights key policy imperatives to drive the development of 5G in Africa.

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 edition focuses on analysis of the latest developments for Q2 2025, while providing country KPIs for the year to March 2025.