With mobile internet penetration at 27% and demand surging, Africa’s telecom sector remains fiercely competitive.
The top five operators—MTN, Orange, Airtel, Maroc Telecom, and Vodafone—dominate the market, yet over 150 companies are striving to expand their footprint.
MTN leads with 150 million mobile internet users across 15 countries, followed by Orange (90M) and Airtel (66M across 14 nations). Vodafone maintains a stronghold in East Africa through Safaricom and Vodacom, while Maroc Telecom prioritizes West and Central Africa.
Price Wars and Infrastructure Struggles
Intense competition has triggered aggressive pricing strategies, significantly reducing data costs. In Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Cameroon, the cost per gigabyte dropped from $5 in 2020 to as low as $1-$2 in 2024.
However, these pricing pressures have impacted investments in 4G and 5G networks, slowing the region’s digital infrastructure growth.
Also Read: Safaricom to submit bid for Ethiopia telco license
Despite 91.8% of mobile users engaging in video streaming weekly, only 320 million out of 1.1 billion people in Sub-Saharan Africa currently access mobile internet. Expanding broadband infrastructure remains crucial, with penetration expected to double by 2030.
Balancing Affordability and Network Expansion
Africa’s telecom providers face a tough balancing act—keeping data affordable while sustaining network upgrades. In the ECOWAS region, 4G penetration is set to rise from 26% to 48% by 2030, yet affordability constraints, political instability, and infrastructure gaps persist.
Operators are also under strain from rising costs. Nigeria, for instance, recently implemented a 50% tariff hike, reflecting the challenges of sustaining networks amid pricing competition. Moving forward, investment in fiber, 4G, and 5G remains crucial.
The telecom companies that succeed in Africa’s evolving digital landscape will be those that effectively merge affordability with long-term infrastructure investment, ensuring both network expansion and sustainable growth in a rapidly digitizing continent.
