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.

Asia Pacific has been the biggest contributor to global subscriber growth in recent years and still has room for growth. However, growth has reached its peak and has started to taper out. With some markets at the forefront of global innovation, yet others with millions of people still to take their first foray online, there is a growing need across the region to look beyond mobile adoption and towards migration to faster networks and increased usage of the mobile internet.

Having surpassed 5 billion people connected to mobile services in 2017, the global mobile industry will reach further milestones over the next eight years. The number of unique mobile subscribers will reach 5.9 billion by 2025, equivalent to 71% of the world’s population. Growth will be driven by developing countries, particularly India, China, Pakistan, Indonesia and Bangladesh, as well as Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America.