By Ntaryike Divine Jr (The African Digest, Cameroon)
Ahead of Africa’s leading connectivity summit in September, a new industry report says mobile technology is set to play an even bigger role in the continent’s economic future, with its contribution projected to reach nearly $290 billion by 2030.
The forecast, contained in the GSMA’s Mobile Economy Africa 2026 report released in late June, estimates that mobile technologies generated about $240 billion for Africa’s economy in 2025. The industry also supported around 13 million jobs while contributing approximately $45 billion (US Dollars) in public revenues.
The findings come as governments, telecom operators, investors, and technology companies prepare to gather at ITW Africa 2026 in September, where expanding digital infrastructure, improving connectivity, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation are expected to top the agenda. According to the report, Africa’s mobile industry is entering a new phase. After years of expanding network coverage, operators are increasingly focused on using artificial intelligence, digital services, and innovation to create greater economic value for businesses and consumers.
“The mobile industry is entering a new phase of development,” says GSMA Director General Vivek Badrinath. “Having connected millions of people and businesses over the last decade, the focus is increasingly shifting towards unlocking greater value through AI, digital services and new forms of innovation.”
Research cited in the report found that nearly eight in ten mobile operators across Africa now see becoming a digital transformation partner as a top enterprise objective, reflecting the sector’s expanding role beyond providing connectivity.
Despite the progress, the report warns that affordability remains one of Africa’s biggest obstacles to digital inclusion. About 63 percent of Africans live in areas covered by mobile Broadband networks but do not use mobile internet, while only about 9 percent remain outside network coverage.
The GSMA says reducing the cost of smartphones and digital services, alongside expanding digital skills programs, will be essential to closing the usage gap and ensuring more people benefit from the digital economy.
Mobile operators are expected to invest more than $75 billion (US Dollars) in network infrastructure between 2024 and 2030, highlighting continued confidence in Africa’s digital future. Badrinath also urges governments to adopt policies that encourage innovation and lower taxes on devices and digital services while calling on technology manufacturers to help make digital access more affordable.
The report concludes that with stronger investment, supportive policies, and wider digital inclusion, mobile technology could become one of the continent’s most important drivers of sustainable economic growth over the coming years.
