Africa’s mobile landscape is undergoing a transformative revolution, with approximately 855 million cellular mobile connections recorded in 2025. This figure often surpasses total population counts in many countries, reflecting individuals owning multiple devices or SIM cards. The continent is expected to add 120 million new subscribers this year, with Nigeria leading in mobile users, followed by South Africa and Egypt.
Mobile phones have become essential for communication, economic empowerment, and digital innovation across Africa, particularly where traditional infrastructure is limited. The rise in affordable smartphones and expanding 4G/5G networks fuels this growth, with mobile money services—especially in East Africa—setting global benchmarks.
Top countries by cellular connections include:
- Nigeria: 150 million connections (64% population penetration)
- South Africa: 124 million connections (193% penetration)
- Egypt: 116 million connections (99% penetration)
- Tanzania: 90.4 million connections
- Ethiopia: 85.4 million connections
- DRC: 60.3 million connections
- Kenya: 68.8 million connections (121% penetration)
- Morocco: 54.9 million connections
- Algeria: 54.8 million connections
- Ghana: 38.3 million connections (110% penetration)
These numbers illustrate Africa’s accelerating digital inclusion and its growing reliance on mobile technology as a gateway to economic and social development.
