5G is expected to make up 28% of all mobile subscriptions in sub-Saharan Africa by the end of 2031.(Source: rawpixel.com on Magnific)
Sub-Saharan Africa is forecast to see the fastest 5G subscription growth globally over the next five years, rising from around 30 million subscriptions in 2025 to 370 million by 2031
That is according to theJune 2026 edition of the Ericsson Mobility Reportwhich states that legacy 2G and 3G networks are expected to shrink significantly in the region as 4G and 5G become the dominant technologies
Growth in the telecom sector is being fueled by a young population, wider access to affordable smartphones, and a rising demand for mobile data and digital services, the report stated
Ericsson said that global 5G mobile subscriptions passed the 3 billion mark during the first quarter of 2026 and half of the world’s mobile data traffic is now carried over 5G
Mobile tech split to change
Total mobile subscriptions in sub-Saharan Africa are expected to reach 1.31 billion in 2031, up from 1.05 billion in 2025
LTE (4G) subscriptions are forecast to grow from 490 million in 2025 to 610 million by 2031, accounting for 46% of all subscriptions.
At the same time, 5G is expected to reach 28% of all mobile subscriptions by the end of 2031, compared to a very small percentage in 2025
Mobile subscriptions by region and technology, 2025 vs. 2031
“The acceleration of 4G and 5G is a defining opportunity for Africa to leapfrog into the AI era. By transitioning away from legacy networks, we are building the foundation for a vibrant, inclusive digital economy,” said Majda Lahlou Kassi, VP and head of Ericsson West and Southern Africa
“With the right collaborative investments in spectrum and policy frameworks, Africa is positioned to fully participate in, and benefit from, the AI boom,” she added
Meanwhile, ongoing 4G rollouts and early 5G deployments are expected to gradually phase out legacy technologies
Ericsson predicts that3G networks will sunset sooner than for 2G, with 3G subscriptions expected to decline by 8% annually to reach around 90 million in 2031
2G subscriptions are projected to fall by around 7% annually to a total of around 245 million
Data consumption continues upward trajectory
The report forecasts that data consumption in the region will continue to scale over the coming years as smartphone penetration grows
Smartphone subscriptions are projected to rise to 960 million in 2031, increasing the share of total mobile subscriptions from 57% to 73%, reflecting growing consumer demand and the evolving mobile ecosystem
Average monthly mobile data per active smartphone in sub-Saharan Africa is forecast to grow from 5.3GB in 2025 to 12GB in 2031
Total mobile data traffic in the region is forecast to grow from 2.8 exabytes (EB) per month in 2025 to 9.7EB per month in 2031
Majda Lahlou Kassi, VP and head of Ericsson West and Southern Africa
Ericsson said that in addition to mobile connectivity, service providers in sub-Saharan Africa are increasingly diversifying their offerings, with a strong focus onfintech– particularly mobile money services
Fixed wireless access (FWA) is also emerging as a key focus area to connect both consumers and enterprises, presenting significant long-term potential to address the region’s underlying demand for reliable broadband
“The sector’s resilience and long-term momentum will hinge on ongoing infrastructure developments and supportive regulatory environments,” the report said
