Mobile Phones and Broadband—a big Leap for Africa

Africa has experienced significant technological leapfrogging by bypassing fixed-line telecommunications in favor of mobile networks. While mobile subscriptions surged from 1.9 to over 100 per 100 people between 2000 and 2023, fixed broadband remains limited. The report highlights the role of satellite internet, such as Starlink, in reaching remote areas and notes that mobile broadband coverage in Nigeria is linked to increased household consumption and poverty reduction. By 2050, mobile phone and mobile broadband subscriptions are projected to reach 150 and 149 per 100 people, respectively, though gaps in affordability and digital skills persist.

• Africa bypassed traditional fixed-line infrastructure to adopt mobile networks, leading to a dramatic increase in connectivity. Between 2000 and 2023, fixed-line access grew only from 2.4 to 2.9 lines per 100 people, whereas mobile subscriptions rose from 1.9 to over 100 per 100 people.
• Mobile broadband has a measurable positive impact on economic welfare and poverty. In Nigeria, one year of mobile broadband coverage is associated with a 6% increase in total household consumption and a 4 percentage point drop in the share of households living below the extreme poverty line; after two years, consumption increases by 8% and poverty falls by 7 percentage points, lifting approximately 2.5 million people out of extreme poverty.
• Low Earth orbit satellite internet is expanding connectivity in remote African regions where terrestrial networks are lacking. SpaceX's Starlink launched in Senegal in early 2026 and has expanded into the Central African Republic, São Tomé and Príncipe, Chad, Somalia, Lesotho, Guinea-Bissau, DR Congo, Niger, and Liberia.
• Projections for 2050 indicate a near-total alignment between mobile phone and mobile broadband subscriptions, though a significant gap remains for fixed broadband. Mobile phone subscriptions are expected to reach 150 per 100 people and mobile broadband 149 per 100, while fixed broadband is projected at 29 per 100.
• There is a stark global disparity in the rollout of 5G technology. While 5G is dominant in high- and upper-middle-income countries, covering over two-thirds of their populations, it reaches only 4% of the population in low-income countries.

APA

Yeboua, K. (2026). Mobile Phones and Broadband—a big Leap for Africa. Institute for Security Studies. https://futures.issafrica.org/thematic/guide.pdf?thematic=09-leapfrog&topic=03-mobile-phones-broadband

Chicago

Yeboua, Kouassi. Mobile Phones and Broadband—a big Leap for Africa. Institute for Security Studies, 2026. https://futures.issafrica.org/thematic/guide.pdf?thematic=09-leapfrog&topic=03-mobile-phones-broadband.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Yeboua |first1=Kouassi |title=Mobile Phones and Broadband—a big Leap for Africa |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=25 May 2026 |url=https://futures.issafrica.org/thematic/guide.pdf?thematic=09-leapfrog&topic=03-mobile-phones-broadband |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{yeboua2026mobile, author = {Yeboua, Kouassi}, title = {{Mobile Phones and Broadband—a big Leap for Africa}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2026}, month = may, url = {https://futures.issafrica.org/thematic/guide.pdf?thematic=09-leapfrog&topic=03-mobile-phones-broadband}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }