Mobile Technology Set to Add $290 Billion to Africa's Economy by 2030, GSMA Reports
Africa’s mobile technology sector is on track to contribute $290 billion to the continent’s economy by the end of the decade, according to the GSMA’s Mobile Economy Africa 2026 report, a projection that underscores the growing centrality of digital infrastructure to the region’s development trajectory.
The industry already injected $240 billion into African economies in 2025, representing 7.8 per cent of the continent’s gross domestic product. Beyond direct economic output, the sector supported 13 million jobs and generated $45 billion in public revenues — figures that paint a picture of an industry becoming one of the most consequential drivers of growth across the region.
Yet the report identifies a paradox at the heart of Africa’s digital story. Despite rapid expansion of mobile broadband infrastructure, some 63 per cent of Africans remain unconnected to mobile internet even though they live within coverage areas. Only 9 per cent of the population lacks any access to mobile broadband at all. The gap between availability and actual usage, the GSMA argues, has become the continent’s most pressing digital challenge.
The barriers are both economic and social. The cost of smartphones and data plans remains prohibitive for millions, while limited digital literacy — particularly in rural and informal communities — keeps many potential users offline. Cultural norms and gender-based constraints further restrict access for women and girls in parts of the continent.
In response, Africa’s mobile operators are undergoing a fundamental strategic shift. After a decade focused primarily on expanding network coverage, more than three-quarters of operators now cite becoming “digital transformation partners” as a core objective. This involves deploying artificial intelligence to optimise network performance, expanding value-added services such as mobile money and Internet of Things solutions, and opening their networks to third-party developers.
The investment required to sustain this transformation is substantial. Operators are expected to commit more than $76 billion to network infrastructure by 2030, a figure that will test the financial capacity of an industry already operating in markets with some of the world’s lowest average revenue per user.
The implications for Ghana and West Africa are significant. The region has been at the forefront of mobile money adoption, and Ghana’s cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve alongside this digital growth. The country’s Cyber Security Authority has urged universities and operators to strengthen their defences as digital infrastructure expands.
Industry analysts say the GSMA’s projections are plausible but depend on regulatory environments that encourage competition and lower barriers to entry. Public-private partnerships will likely play a critical role in extending infrastructure into underserved rural areas where commercial returns alone may not justify investment.
The report serves as both an assessment and a call to action. Africa’s mobile sector has already demonstrated its capacity to transform economies and livelihoods. The question now is whether governments, operators, and civil society can collaborate effectively to ensure that the benefits of connectivity reach the hundreds of millions who remain on the wrong side of the digital divide.
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