Mobile Internet Access Still Limited in Africa, Millions Remain Offline

By the end of 2023, Sub-Saharan Africa had 320 million mobile internet subscribers; a 27% penetration rate. This data was provided in an October 2024 report released by GSMA.

Mobile internet access continues to be a major challenge for many people across Africa, with millions of individuals unable to fully benefit from the service despite being within coverage areas.

GSMA’s The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity Report 2024 revealed that Africa has the largest gap in mobile internet usage globally, with 60% of people in areas covered by mobile networks not using the service. This equates to around 710 million people who have network coverage but don’t use mobile internet. Moreover, 160 million people, or 13% of the African population, have no mobile network coverage at all, leaving them without access to the service.

“A range of reasons explain why people are not adopting mobile internet despite living in areas covered by mobile broadband. Key factors include lack of awareness of mobile internet and (once aware) not being able to afford an internet-enabled phone, and lack of literacy and skills,” the report read. Even those who are aware of mobile internet face obstacles such as security concerns, high costs, connectivity issues, and a lack of understanding about the benefits of the service.

The document drew a list of countries with the largest number of people not connected to mobile internet by the end of 2023:

Nigeria

120 million of people out of Nigeria’s 223.8 million inhabitants are do not have access to internet. This represents 53.6% of the population. However, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) revised the figures, stating that as of November 2024, there are 136 million mobile internet subscribers, leaving around 88 million people without access. This number might be slightly overestimated due to the prevalence of multi-SIM use, where a single individual may have multiple SIM cards.

The Nigerian government is working on increasing internet access as part of its digital transformation strategy. The country aims to achieve 70% broadband penetration by 2025, investing in infrastructure such as the deployment of 90,000 km of fiber optics and leveraging satellite providers like Nigcomsat and Starlink to expand coverage.

Ethiopia

100 million people in Ethiopia—79% of the population—lack mobile internet access, according to the GSMA. The government is actively working to improve internet access by modernizing infrastructure and raising awareness of the importance of digital literacy. The Ethiopian government also collaborates with neighboring countries to improve connectivity in remote areas and ensure equitable access to the internet.

Egypt

The GSMA reports that 55 million people in Egypt lack mobile internet access, or about 48.8% of the population. The government is working on expanding access through various initiatives aimed at building a “digital Egypt,” which includes improving ICT infrastructure and fostering digital inclusion.

Tanzania

In Tanzania, 40 million people—59.4% of the population—are not connected to mobile internet. The government is investing in national digital infrastructure, including 636 new telecom sites to enhance access across the country. The goal is to connect 80% of the population by 2025.

DRC

In DRC, the GSMA estimates that 40 million people remain offline, despite a population of 102.3 million, or 39.1% of the total population. As of December 30, 2023, the country had about 30 million mobile internet subscribers, according to the Congolese Regulatory Authority for Post and Telecommunications (ARPTC). The government is pursuing a strategy to develop quality digital infrastructure to support the country’s digital transformation. This includes exploring satellite technology to provide nationwide coverage, with meetings held with satellite operators Monacosat and Thales in recent weeks. On February 6, the government signed a memorandum of understanding worth $1 billion with Indian company General Technologies, which could lead to the expansion of the mobile internet network.

Kenya

In Kenya, 35 million people still lack access to mobile internet, according to the GSMA, in a country with a population of 55.1 million. The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) reported 53.7 million mobile internet subscribers as of September 30, 2024. President William Ruto has made digital technology central to Kenya’s socioeconomic development. The government plans to lay more than 100,000 kilometers of fiber-optic cables, establish 25,000 public Wi-Fi access points, and create digital villages in all 1,450 districts across the country. In April 2023, the World Bank committed $390 million to fund the first phase of Kenya’s digital economy acceleration project.

Sudan

In Sudan, 35 million people are without mobile internet, in a population of around 48.1 million, as estimated by the GSMA. Internet access in Sudan is heavily impacted by the country’s security situation, with authorities often cutting off services for varying lengths of time, and infrastructure damage due to conflicts disrupting access. However, the World Bank’s “Digital Economy For Africa – Diagnostic Assessment For The Republic of Sudan” report highlights an opportunity for Sudan to begin its digital transformation by focusing on infrastructure development and skill enhancement. The report recommends investing in terrestrial fiber routes and diversifying connections to neighboring countries like Ethiopia, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic, as well as improving rural and border coverage. The government is also urged to establish a neutral data center and a secondary internet exchange point (IXP).

Uganda

In Uganda, 30 million people lack mobile internet access, according to the GSMA, in a country with a population of 48.6 million. The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) reported that the number of active mobile internet subscribers stood at 19.5 million by the end of December 2024. To boost digital transformation and economic recovery, the Ugandan government is focusing on expanding internet access. In March 2023, it secured 1.8 trillion Ugandan shillings from the World Bank and a $150 million loan from the China Eximbank to support this initiative. In August 2023, the government reduced the cost of public internet access from $70 to $35 per month, with plans to cut it further to $5 within a year.

Source: Ecofin Agency

Huawei launches industry’s first AI Core Network, enabling intelligent connectivity of AI agents

Huawei

At MWC Barcelona 2025, George Gao, President of Huawei Cloud Core Network Product Line, announced the launch of the industry’s first AI Core Network, marking a transformative leap from AI-powered to AI-native infrastructure.

The AI Core Network will be an autonomous generative network capable of self-optimization and self-O&M, enabling the whole industry to evolve from connecting everything intelligently to seamlessly interlinking AI-driven agents, terminals, and scenarios.

As AI reshapes industries, intelligent terminals and services demand core networks that transcend traditional connectivity. To address this issue, the core network need deliver a future-proof foundation with integrated capabilities in connectivity, computing, perception, memory, and digital twin simulation. Designed to serve individuals, households, enterprises, and AI agents, it addresses multi-dimensional demands for personalized intelligent services.

Huawei’s AI Core Network rollout will come true in two phases:

  • 5G-A Intelligent Core (phase 1): The network integrates AI agents to enhance intelligent network capabilities. Additionally, by introducing computing-network convergence, the network can boost intelligent computing capabilities for terminals while overcoming their computing power and energy efficiency bottlenecks.
  • Agentic Core (phase 2): Leveraging the AI-based architecture (AIBA), the network will be an autonomous generative network capable of self-optimization and self-O&M, dynamically adapting to diverse real-time service needs.

Gao emphasized that Huawei’s 5G-A Intelligent Core equips operators with three types of AI agents to claim three intelligence entries and monetize intelligence. In addition, Huawei is building intelligent distributed computing infrastructure featuring low-latency and high-bandwidth, to provide computing and network convergence services to terminals and industries.

 Calling agents process multi-modal inputs (voice, video, gestures) to transform traditional dial pads into intent-driven task managers, facilitating one-stop closed-loop of service tasks and capturing service entry opportunities.

 Personalized experience agents dynamically schedule network resources for differentiated user experiences, redefining user experience, providing operators with an entry to experience monetization.

 Digital expert agents resolve complaints and alarms via natural language interaction and AI inference, streamlining O&M through a unified portal.

To further empower these agents, Huawei also introduces Telco Intelligent Converged Cloud, upgrading traditional infrastructure with unified hardware management. It introduces an AI engine, and builds the FusionMind AI enablement platform, to deliver robust computing resources and high-performance training/inference services, ensuring powerful intelligence.

In his speech, Gao stated, “The AI core network will become a critical telecom infrastructure in the mobile AI era. Huawei will work with telecom operators and industry partners to seize the opportunities of digital and intelligent development, go beyond from introducing AI to the core network to leveraging AI and the core network for innovative services, and accelerate the transition to an intelligent world.”

Source: Kweku Zurek (Graphic online)

Telecom, Digital Finance sectors urgently need policy support — Chambers

The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications and the Electronic Money Issuers (EMIs) Chamber of Ghana have called on the Information and Communications Committee and the Finance Committee of Parliament to prioritise strategic policies and legislative support for the telecommunications and digital finance industries.

They said investment-friendly policies, robust infrastructure support, and progressive regulations were essential to fully harness the potential of these industries.

The two chambers further advocated an improved regulatory framework that reduced operational barriers, expanded broadband access, and ensured the protection of telecommunication infrastructure.


Call

In a joint statement, the two chambers said their industry was a crucial driver of Ghana’s economic growth, digital transformation and financial inclusion; hence, the need to prioritise the strategic policies.

“The Telecommunications and Digital Finance sectors are not just industries but enablers of economic prosperity, financial inclusion, and national development. Telecommunications powers Ghana’s digital economy, connecting businesses, communities and government services.

“Digital Finance is revolutionising transactions, expanding financial access, and driving innovation in commerce and entrepreneurship.

“For Ghana to fully realise its economic and digital potential, these sectors must be supported through progressive policies, investment-friendly regulations and infrastructure development,” the statement said.


Collaboration

It further said while the telecommunications sector remained a cornerstone of Ghana’s digital economy, enabling connectivity for businesses, government services and communities, the digital finance industry, on the other hand, had been instrumental in revolutionising transactions, expanding financial access and driving innovation across commerce and entrepreneurship.

“Thus without deliberate efforts to create a conducive environment, these two crucial sectors may not realise their full potential in accelerating economic transformation.

Also, they emphasised the need to lower the cost of doing business in these industries to enhance affordability and accessibility for Ghanaians.

The two chambers pledged their commitment to collaborating with parliamentary committees in shaping strategic solutions that would position Ghana as a leader in telecommunications, digital payments and technological advancement.

Source: Graphic online

MTN to Launch Product to Support Women Entrepreneurs

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MTN’s Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Angela Mensah-Poku, has announced plans to launch a new product aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs. Speaking at the National Women’s Summit and Expo, she said the initiative will offer access to markets, mentorship, capability training, and business solutions.

The product, set to launch in the coming weeks, is part of MTN’s broader commitment to supporting women on their digital and entrepreneurial journeys.

Addressing the 2025 International Women’s Day theme, “Accelerate for Action,” Mensah-Poku reaffirmed MTN’s commitment to economic empowerment for women. She also noted that MTN is collaborating with banks, insurers, and the MTN Foundation to provide training in bookkeeping and marketing—key steps to help women in the informal sector become funding-ready.

Source: B&FT

GIFEC strengthens ties with AT Ghana to enhance rural connectivity

GIFEC

The acting Administrator of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), Dr. Sofo Tanko Rashid-Computer, has paid a courtesy call on the Chief Executive Officer of AT Ghana, Mr. Leo Skarlatos, as part of ongoing efforts to foster stronger collaboration between GIFEC and AT Ghana in addressing rural connectivity challenges across the country.

The high-level engagement centered on improving telecommunication infrastructure in unserved and underserved communities, enhancing the performance of AT Ghana sites under the Ghana Rural Telephony and Digital Inclusion Project (GRT&DIP), and exploring innovative ways to drive digital transformation.

During the meeting, the Administrator highlighted the significance of partnerships in accelerating Ghana’s digital inclusion agenda. He emphasized that GIFEC, through its various projects, has been working to bridge the digital divide by ensuring that every Ghanaian, regardless of location, has access to affordable and reliable telecommunications services. However, he noted that achieving this goal requires the active participation of key industry stakeholders like AT Ghana.

A key focus of the discussion was the operational challenges faced by AT Ghana’s sites under the GRT&DIP. The administrator called for stronger technical and infrastructural support from AT Ghana to enhance the efficiency of these sites, ensuring seamless connectivity for the thousands of people who rely on them for communication and digital services. He stressed the need for periodic assessments and collaborative interventions to optimize service delivery in rural areas.

Furthermore, Dr. Tanko Rashid-Computer reiterated the importance of sustained financial support from telecommunications companies towards GIFEC’s mandate. He urged AT Ghana to redeem its statutory 1% contribution to GIFEC, which is crucial for sustaining initiatives that expand digital access. These contributions, he noted, enable GIFEC to deploy critical infrastructure, provide ICT training, and roll out digital skills programs that empower individuals and businesses in remote areas.

Beyond rural connectivity, the discussion also touched on the government’s broader vision for digital transformation. The Administrator briefed the AT Ghana CEO on the proposed amendment to the Communications Act, which established GIFEC, aligning with H.E. the President’s vision to transform the Fund into a Digital Economy and Innovation Development Fund. This new framework will position GIFEC as a key enabler of Ghana’s digital economy by providing financial support for innovative technology-driven projects, equipping millennials and Gen-Zs with entrepreneurial skills, and fostering economic growth through digital innovation.

In response, the CEO of AT Ghana, Mr. Leo Skarlatos, expressed his company’s unwavering commitment to supporting GIFEC’s mission. He acknowledged the challenges facing the telecommunications industry but reaffirmed AT Ghana’s dedication to fulfilling its obligations, including redeeming its contributions to GIFEC. He also pledged AT Ghana support in implementing innovative solutions to enhance rural connectivity, such as deploying alternative power solutions for remote cell sites, leveraging emerging technologies to optimize network performance, and exploring new financing models for sustainable infrastructure development.

Recognizing the need for continuous engagement, both parties agreed to hold further meetings to deepen collaboration and refine strategies for achieving shared goals. Mr. Leo Skarlatos assured GIFEC of their willingness to partner on future projects that align with Ghana’s digital transformation agenda, including potential initiatives that will expand broadband penetration, improve mobile network coverage, and facilitate ICT capacity-building programs in rural areas.

The GIFEC delegation at the meeting included the acting Deputy Administrator, Hon. Abdul-Aziz Mohammed; Director of Operations and Ag. Director of Administration & HR, Alhaji Yahaya Zakaria Osman; the Director of Finance, Mr. Henry Agyeman Boateng; Senior Manager and PA to the Administrator, Ms. Ruth Ayiintimii Azantilow; Head of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Fredrick Kojo Aidoo; and Mr. Vincent Owusu Amponsah.

Present for AT Ghana included Mr. Emmanuel Owusu, the Chief Technical Officer (CTO), Chief Legal & Regulatory Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Adjei, and Benjamin Bagyio Adu, Head of Communications and Media Engagement.

Source: My Joy Online


Airtel CEO Credits Focused Strategy for Financial Turnaround

Airtel

Bharti Airtel CEO Gopal Vittal attributed the company’s financial turnaround to a focused capital allocation strategy aimed at improving service quality. Speaking at MWC25 Barcelona, he said Airtel is “obsessed about experience” and is pursuing partnerships that add value for customers.

Vittal explained Airtel made a bold decision to target the top 40% of customers who generate nearly 80% of industry revenue, positioning the company for growth amid market consolidation. He described the earlier environment as a “competitive onslaught,” with revenues plunging 30% and ten operators exiting the market.

He highlighted that Airtel’s revenue share has grown from 29% to over 40% in the last 8–9 years, and its market capitalization has surged from $20 billion to nearly $120 billion.

Source: Mobile World Live

MTN, Axxess Offer Affordable Fixed-5G Packages

5G

MTN and Axxess have emerged among the most affordable fixed 5G providers in South Africa, according to a MyBroadband analysis. Mobile operators like MTN, Rain, and Telkom continue to invest heavily in 5G infrastructure to expand coverage across major metros.

MTN’s new Shesh@Home Internet packages offer 5G access for under R400/month. The Shesh@200 plan (R329) provides full-speed 5G for 100GB, then throttles to 10Mbps for another 100GB, and 512Kbps thereafter. The Shesh@600 plan (R399) offers 5G for 300GB, followed by 20Mbps for 300GB, and then 512Kbps.

Axxess follows with MTN Home Standard 5G at R449/month and Vodacom Home Standard 5G at R495/month, offering higher FUP thresholds—300GB and 250GB, respectively—before speeds reduce to 2Mbps.

Telkom offers the highest data threshold in the sub-R500 range, with its 5G Internet 40Mbps plan providing 1TB at full speed, then 4Mbps for 50GB, and 2Mbps thereafter.

FUPs help manage network congestion by reducing speeds after set data limits, ensuring consistent connectivity for all users.

Source: Extensia

Huawei Powers Madagascar’s Rural Connectivity Push in Ambitious Village Network Rollout

Huawei

The Malagasy government plans to connect more than 1,600 villages to telecommunications services, in partnership with Chinese technology company Huawei. This initiative aims to accelerate the country’s digital transformation. The project was revealed last week by Stéphanie Delmotte (pictured), Minister of Digital Development, Posts and Telecommunications, during an interview with Huawei.

The village coverage project will follow the “Digital Menabe Project,” which aims to connect 200,000 people in the Menabe region and for which a partnership agreement has already been signed with Huawei. The Malagasy government is also targeting coverage in 95% of remote rural areas. For example, Ms. Delmotte praised Huawei’s solutions, including “Rural Star ,” which are “technologically advanced, offer wide coverage, are cost-effective, easy to deploy, and perfectly suited to large-scale deployment.”

According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the 4G network covered only 33% of the Malagasy population, estimated at around 31.2 million in 2023. 2G and 3G covered 88.5% and 68.2%, respectively, while the 5G coverage rate was 6.12%. Regarding usage, the ITU estimates the internet penetration rate at 20.6% of the population. The organization indicates that 38.1% of Malagasy people own a mobile phone, reflecting the mobile phone penetration rate.

“We must therefore start by improving network coverage in remote areas. In collaboration with major players in the telecommunications sector, such as Huawei, we have implemented a program of innovative initiatives to ensure that no region is left behind in the digital world,” the minister said.

It should be noted, however, that the minister did not specify the implementation timeline for the program to connect villages to telecom services. Furthermore, beyond deploying infrastructure and expanding network coverage, the Malagasy government will need to address the obstacles limiting the effective adoption of these services by the population. These challenges include accessibility to terminals (phones and smartphones), the high cost of services, and the lack of digital skills.

Source: Extensia

Tanzania: Telecom operators under pressure to expand network coverage

Telecom

On May 13, 2023, Tanzanian telecom operators signed agreements with the government to expand their networks in rural areas. A total of 713 constituencies were identified as priority targets for new telecom infrastructure.

Tanzanian telecom operators have until May 12 to complete the deployment of 758 new communication towers in rural areas, a project that is already 55% complete. The deadline was set last week by Jerry Silaa (pictured), Minister of ICT. If met, the deadline could significantly improve the country’s network coverage.

Indeed, according to data from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), 3G and 4G networks covered 85% and 58% respectively of the population estimated at around 66.6 million in 2023. 2G, on the other hand, covered 98% of Tanzanians.

“President Samia [Suluhu, Ed.] has allocated 126 billion shillings [$47.8 million, Ed.] for the construction of 758 communication towers in rural areas, which will significantly reduce the network coverage gap in the country ,” Mr. Silaa said on Saturday, March 15, during the inspection visit to a construction site in the country.

Expanding network coverage could lead to improved adoption of telecom services, especially since the government is targeting approximately 8.5 million beneficiaries. Currently, the ITU estimates that about 74.5 percent of the Tanzanian population owns a mobile phone, which gives a rough idea of ​​mobile phone penetration in the country. As for mobile internet, the organization estimates the penetration rate at 31.9 percent. Moreover, the Global Mobile Operators Association (GSMA) has estimated that 40 million Tanzanians have no access to mobile internet at all.

It’s worth remembering, however, that expanding network coverage alone isn’t enough to ensure people adopt telecom services. The government must therefore address the factors that affect this. For example, for mobile internet, the GSMA has identified barriers such as the high cost of compatible devices, a lack of digital skills, the price of data plans, the relevance of the content and services offered, security concerns, and the quality of the user experience.

Source: Extensia

Mobile Money: 5 types of fraud that are weakening the sector (GSMA)

Mobile Money

By 2023, 310 mobile financial services were already active worldwide. Sub-Saharan Africa was home to more than half of these. The continent, which has a low rate of banking access, sees this solution as an asset for financial inclusion, especially in rural areas.

Mobile Money, a money transfer service via mobile phones, is now a recurring target of fraudulent and cybercriminal attacks, laments the Global Mobile Operators Association (GSMA). The service, which has earned its place as a lever for economic growth for many telecom operators such as Orange, MTN, Safaricom, and Airtel since 2007, and is a flagship solution for financial inclusion in Africa, is experiencing an increase in these attacks, according to 84% of professionals in the Mobile Money ecosystem surveyed by GSMA. These are people in middle or senior management positions with in-depth knowledge of—and experience with—Mobile Money fraud.

In its study of 34 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, published in March 2024, the Association indicates that five main types of threats against Mobile Money have been identified in order of importance:

Identity theft

Impersonating another person, real or not, and/or representing an entity for the purpose of deceiving others. The person or entity that the imposter claims to be or represents may be genuine, fictitious, or created from a mixture of genuine and/or fictitious information (e.g., pretending to be a member of a family in difficulty and asking relatives for money transfers).

Social engineering

Impersonating someone else to manipulate the target into disclosing information, granting unauthorized access, or performing certain actions that lead to fraud. This type of fraud involves identity theft and deception (a fake Mobile Money agent requesting personal information to update SIM card identification).

Mobile money fraud 1

Infographic: The Main Types of Threats to Mobile Money

Insider fraud

A current or former employee, contractor, or business partner of the Mobile Money service provider implements a fraudulent scheme by taking advantage of their knowledge, skills, experience, or insider access.

SIM swap fraud

A form of identity theft where one person assumes the identity of another by taking over their phone number and/or mobile money account or wallet.

Cyber ​​fraud

Intrusion into the Mobile Money service by hacking the computer system or using a Trojan horse (link sent to a user that introduces malware when clicked)

Fraud and insider threats emerged as a major concern among professionals surveyed by GSMA. Ninety-four percent of them said they were concerned about insider fraud perpetrated by both internal and external parties. Collusion with external fraudsters to commit fraud was identified as the primary insider fraud scheme.

Ali Baba’s Cave

Mobile Money’s growing appeal to fraudsters is explained by the significant volume of financial transactions carried out each year. In 2023, the service already recorded 1.7 billion accounts worldwide, accounting for 85 billion transactions and over $1 trillion in funds transferred. Sub-Saharan Africa alone accounted for 835 million accounts, accounting for 62 billion transactions and $912 billion in funds transferred. This amount of money makes Mobile Money a target for many fraudsters and cybercriminals of all kinds.

Mobile money 2 copy fraudInfographic: The players most impacted by mobile money fraud 

Aware of this illicit interest in Mobile Money, many players operating in the business sector and in the security sector (telecom operators, Fintech, Interpol, etc.) are increasing campaigns and calls to raise awareness among users about good practices to observe. They insist on the need to never share security codes, because even legitimate companies do not ask for them; always check the authenticity of messages and links received and contact the service via its official channels in case of doubt; always use secure applications downloaded only from certified platforms; activate two-factor authentication (2FA) to increase your security margin; regularly monitor your transactions to detect any suspicious activity and report it.

An essential collaboration

Given the dynamic nature of mobile money and the growing threat of fraud in this sector, GSMA recommends that telecom operators invest more in anti-fraud programs, cutting-edge technologies that support security such as artificial intelligence and rigorous monitoring of third parties (agents, technology providers and other third parties). The Association calls on governments to update and improve legal frameworks to address the specific nuances of mobile money fraud, ensuring that laws are robust enough to enable effective prosecution in such cases. Importantly, the collaboration of different stakeholders on various measures, including awareness programs and information sharing, data protection and regular assessment of vulnerabilities that not only jeopardize the mobile money sector, but the entire financial ecosystem.

Source: Extensia