This archive report was first published on 7 July 2021.
Published on July 7, 2021, Ericsson's latest Mobility Report forecasts that 5G mobile subscriptions will reach 70 million in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2026.
According to Todd Ashton, Vice President of South and East Africa at Ericsson, the region's sustained growth in mobile broadband is expected to be driven by its youthful population, affordable smartphone devices, and improved coverage.
Ashton projects that by 2025, online activities will increase, leading to accelerated economic growth and digital inclusion in Africa.
Ericsson has unveiled two reports featuring data on 5G in Sub-Saharan Africa and globally, highlighting the region's mobile phone penetration, which is projected to reach 76% over the next five years.
Consumers in Africa are expected to increase their online time by 10 hours a week by 2025, driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to a surge in online activities such as education and shopping.
Despite the pandemic's uncertainties, more than 160 service providers have launched 5G networks during this period, with Ericsson having over 140 commercial network agreements and more than 80 live networks.
