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Africa’s mobile technology sector added an estimated $220 billion to the continent’s economy in 2024 — equivalent to 7.7% of Africa’s GDP — according to the Mobile Economy Africa 2025 Report released by the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) at the Mobile World Congress in Kigali.
The report highlights the pivotal role of mobile connectivity in transforming Africa’s economic landscape and projects that by 2030, the mobile industry could contribute up to $270 billion to the continent’s GDP.
“Mobile technology is not just connecting people—it’s creating economies,” said Angela Wamola, Head of Africa at GSMA. “The next wave of growth will depend on how effectively Africa integrates AI, fintech, and mobile innovation to close the digital divide.”
Technology and Growth Outlook
The GSMA forecasts that the continued rollout of 4G and 5G networks, coupled with the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), could double Africa’s GDP growth by 2035. These technologies are expected to revolutionize vital sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, and public services, enhancing accessibility, efficiency, and inclusion across communities.
Industry leaders at the Kigali forum described mobile innovation as “the backbone of Africa’s modern economy,” noting that mobile technology is driving financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, and job creation—especially across fintech, logistics, and agritech ecosystems.
Mobile Money as a Catalyst for Inclusion
Platforms such as M-Pesa and MoMo remain at the forefront of Africa’s financial inclusion story. These digital payment systems are providing millions of unbanked Africans with access to savings, microloans, and cross-border transactions, empowering small businesses and strengthening local economies.
However, the report warns that connectivity gaps persist. While 90% of Africans live within 3G or 4G network coverage, only 58% actively use mobile internet. Barriers such as high data costs, limited digital literacy, and low trust in online services continue to hinder universal digital adoption.
Rwanda: A Case Study in Digital Acceleration
Rwanda emerged as a standout success story in the GSMA report. Between 2023 and 2025, the country expanded its 4G user base from 500,000 to 5 million, driven by strong public-private partnerships and a national digital inclusion strategy.
“By ensuring that connectivity reaches every home, school, and hospital, we are transforming lives,” said Paula Ingabire, Rwanda’s Minister of ICT and Innovation.
Through initiatives like the Digital Ambassadors Program, Rwanda has connected nearly 1,000 health centers and 4,000 schools, while training over 4.5 million citizens in essential digital skills. Ingabire emphasized the importance of homegrown innovation, stating, “We must connect people, ideas, and markets—creating solutions designed in Africa, built for Africa, and scaled to the world.”
The Road Ahead
The GSMA’s findings underscore that sustained investment, inclusive digital policies, and regional collaboration are crucial to unlocking Africa’s full digital potential. If these factors align, the continent’s mobile-driven transformation could become one of the most dynamic economic growth engines of the next decade.
With mobile connectivity as its cornerstone, Africa is steadily building a digitally empowered future—one that promises inclusive prosperity, innovation, and resilience for generations to come.
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