Mobile Phone Subscriptions in Africa
- Timothy Pesi
- Mar 31
- 3 min read
Mobile subscriptions are a key indicator of digital connectivity and economic development. In Africa, there's a significant disparity in mobile penetration rates: Libya leads with 204.63 subscriptions per 100 people, while South Sudan has the lowest at 30 per 100 people. This gap, particularly pronounced in Central and East African countries, impacts fintech adoption, digital payments, and access to information.
Key Insights from the Data
Highest Mobile Penetration
Libya leads the continent with 204.63 subscriptions per 100 people, followed by Seychelles (191.51), Côte d'Ivoire (174.02), and South Africa (167.40). These high numbers indicate that many individuals hold multiple subscriptions, a common practice in competitive telecom markets.
Lowest Mobile Penetration – Central & East Africa Lagging Behind
The lowest mobile subscription rates are concentrated in Central and East Africa, highlighting major gaps in digital inclusion:
South Sudan: 30.02 per 100 people (lowest in Africa)
Liberia: 31.83
Central African Republic: 33.55
Mozambique: 42.07
Democratic Republic of Congo: 50.34
This trend suggests persistent challenges such as infrastructure deficits, affordability issues, and political instability.
Middle-Tier Countries
Some East African nations show more balanced mobile penetration rates, reflecting steady growth in mobile connectivity:
Kenya: 121.67
Ghana: 119.62
Senegal: 120.43
However, other key economies like Ethiopia (56) and Uganda (70) remain well below the continental average.
What Does This Data Mean ?
The variation in mobile subscriptions across Africa reflects deeper socioeconomic and infrastructural challenges. High penetration rates in countries like South Africa, Kenya, Ivory Coast indicate thriving mobile connectivity supported by strong competition, affordable data plans, and innovative digital services. In contrast, low penetration in Central and East Africa signals limited telecom infrastructure, costly mobile services, and slower digital adoption. Furthermore, limited connectivity restricts access to crucial information, hindering education, employment opportunities, and civic participation.
The Impact on Fintech & Digital Inclusion
The lag in mobile penetration in Central and East Africa directly affects fintech growth and financial inclusion. Mobile money services, which have revolutionized digital payments in countries like Kenya and Ghana, struggle to gain traction in regions with low mobile subscription rates. Key consequences include:
Limited Access to Mobile Banking: Many people remain excluded from digital financial services due to a lack of mobile connectivity.
Slow Growth of Digital Payments: Mobile wallets and digital transactions cannot scale effectively without widespread phone ownership.
Reduced Investment in Fintech Startups: Investors may hesitate to back fintech solutions in markets where mobile adoption is low.
M-PESA, Kenya's pioneering mobile money platform by Safaricom PLC, has significantly transformed the country's financial landscape. By 2024, it recorded 34 million active mpesa subscribers, marking an increase from the previous year. This growth underscores M-PESA's role in enabling millions of Kenyans to access payment and credit services via their mobile phones. Its success serves as a compelling model for other African nations, highlighting the vast potential of mobile money services in regions with increasing mobile adoption.
What’s Next for Africa’s Mobile Connectivity?
As Africa continues its digital transformation, closing the mobile subscription gap will require:
Targeted investments in infrastructure to expand network coverage.
Policies promoting competition to drive down mobile service costs.
Initiatives to make mobile services more affordable, ensuring accessibility for low-income populations.
The lag in Central and East Africa underscores the urgent need for strategies focusing on these underserved regions. Bridging this divide is critical for economic inclusion, access to digital services, and overall societal development. Moreover, increasing mobile connectivity will enhance access to information, empowering communities with knowledge and opportunities to drive progress.
Expanding mobile coverage isn’t just about communication—it’s about unlocking financial opportunities, fostering entrepreneurship, enabling millions to participate in the digital economy, and ensuring widespread access to information.
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