This flagship report highlights the immense opportunities for the region if key barriers to connectivity are addressed.
Angela Wamola, GSMA's Head of Sub-Saharan Africa, spoke to Channel Africa on Monday about the transformative potential of mobile connectivity in the region, which has the power to drive economic growth, job creation, and digital inclusivity.
However, she noted that there is a significant "usage gap", while 710 million people in the region have access to mobile internet, they are not actively using it. This usage gap is nearly five times the coverage gap, where 160 million people still lack access to mobile broadband infrastructure. Without substantial changes, it could take up to 30 years to bridge this divide, Wamola warned.
The high cost of smart devices and data remains a primary obstacle to broader mobile internet adoption in Sub-Saharan Africa. Wamola explained that even with the availability of some $50 devices, there is a pressing need for more affordable options, ideally in the $20 range.
Although some countries offer smart feature phones at this price, import duties and customs fees often drive up costs. GSMA suggests that affordable device financing plans and options to locally manufacture devices could help make smart devices accessible to more people.
Additional barriers include digital literacy, relevant content in local languages, and online safety concerns. For many, unfamiliarity with the digital world, limited educational content in native languages, and concerns about privacy deter usage. Addressing these issues could encourage wider internet usage and help bridge the digital divide.
In collaboration with mobile operators and governments, GSMA has conducted studies in Kenya, Zambia, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and South Africa.
These studies focus on how mobile technologies can advance economic development, particularly in the agriculture, transport, and manufacturing sectors. By leveraging digital technologies, countries can reduce inequality and improve economic outcomes.
Wamola emphasised the importance of regional cooperation, especially as Africa pushes for greater economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
A robust digital infrastructure across the continent would facilitate seamless cross-border trade and economic activity.
Across Sub-Saharan Africa, there are significant discrepancies in mobile and internet pricing. Wamola attributed these variations to differing levels of infrastructure development and high taxation.
Many landlocked countries rely on fibre connectivity extending from undersea cables, which increases operational costs. Additionally, the mobile industry’s heavy tax burden further drives up prices, limiting affordability for many users.
Wamola urged African governments to reconsider tax structures to reduce data costs. By making internet services more affordable, the industry could accelerate digital adoption and unlock an estimated $700 billion in additional GDP over the next six years.
“The time is now for us to partner together,” Wamola stated, urging governments, private sector players, and communities to work collaboratively.
--ChannelAfrica--
