In 2025, 3G will still represent 58% of mobile networks in sub -Saharan Africa and 4G 28% (GSMA)

(Ecofin agency) - In 2019, mobile technologies and services generated 9% of GDP in sub -Saharan Africa - USD 155 billion.Return the level of penetration of very high speed, at the dawn of the digital economy, has the potential to multiply this economic performance.

In 2020, third generation mobile technology represented 52% of mobile networks in sub -Saharan Africa against 36% for 2G and only 12% for 4G.By 2025, the World Association of Telephone Operators (GSMA) indicates that 3G will represent 58% of mobile networks against only 28% for 4G.In its GSMA Mobile Economy 2021 report, the association indicates that the place of 2G in mobile networks will fall at 11% while 5G which has already appeared on the continent will represent less than 10% of mobile networks.

According to the GSMA, telecom operators will invest nearly 50 billion USD in their networks by 2025 and 34% of this sum will be intended for 5G.It is therefore 2G, 3G and 4G that will help bring the number of mobile subscribers to half a billion in 2021 in sub-Saharan Africa.It is 3G and 4G that will support the damage of a billion mobile connections in 2024 and 50% of subscribers by 2025, estimated by the association in its Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa 2020 report.However, with regard to the challenges of digital transformation accelerated by COVVI-19, these performances seem insufficient for GSMA.

The international organization says that "mobile industry in sub -Saharan Africa has largely taken up the challenge of keeping individuals and companies connected during the pandemic, despite changes in data consumption methods.However, with nearly 800 million people in the region still not connected to the mobile Internet, it has never been so urgent to fill the digital divide ”.

Currently, sub -Saharan Africa occupies the last place in the world in terms of the quality of telecom networks.In their study "The Network Readiness Index 2020: Accelerating Digital Transformation in A Post-Cavid Global Economy", Portulans Institute and Sterlite Technologies Limited reveal that the continent is the least ready region at all levels, especially in terms of technological.

By 2024, the GSMA estimates that the economic contribution of mobile to the economy of sub -Saharan Africa will reach nearly 185 billion USD.A performance that could be much more important at the dawn of the digital economy if investment in very high speed is noted.

Muriel Edjo

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