Mobile Sector Propels Africa’s Economy with $240 Billion Contribution

The GSMA’s Mobile Economy Africa 2026 report marks a transition for the region, moving from basic infrastructure expansion to the deployment of artificial intelligence and standardized APIs. Operators are pivoting from traditional connectivity providers to strategic digital transformation partners, with 79% of surveyed companies identifying this shift as their primary enterprise objective.

Looking ahead, the economic impact is projected to climb to $290 billion by 2030 as adoption rates accelerate. GSMA Director General Vivek Badrinath emphasized that while the industry has successfully connected millions over the past decade, the current hurdle is affordability and ensuring that the existing digital infrastructure translates into tangible innovation for businesses and governments. Bridging this usage gap remains the definitive challenge for the next phase of growth.