Africa’s Mobile Coverage Reaches 91% but 64% Usage Gap Persists, GSMA Warns
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Africa’s mobile infrastructure has transformed dramatically: coverage now reaches 91% of the population, down from a 41% gap in 2015, according to the latest GSMA Intelligence report highlighted in The Africa Brief on February 27. However, the usage gap—those within coverage but not using mobile internet—has widened to 64% in 2024, up from 58%.
Smartphone affordability tops the barriers, with many unable to purchase internet-enabled devices or cover ongoing data costs, compounded by digital skills gaps, content relevance, and safety concerns. Closing the usage gap by 2030 could add approximately $700bn to continental GDP through accelerated digital inclusion and economic activity.
The report underscores a shift from infrastructure deficits to adoption challenges: towers and networks are largely in place, but devices, pricing, and skills must follow to unlock the potential. Stablecoins emerge as a practical bridge, with Africa leading global real-world adoption at 79% ownership among crypto users—the highest regionally.
Key stablecoin trends include 95% of Nigerian respondents preferring salary payments in stablecoins over naira for inflation hedging, remittances (saving 40–85% fees), and cross-border trade. Gender parity stands out, with African women at 51% ownership matching men, unlike global patterns.
Fintech passporting advances as Ghana and Rwanda finalise operational agreements post-MoU, aiming to ease cross-border licensing and payments amid AfCFTA goals—47% of 2024 Africa VC went to fintech despite regulatory fragmentation. Minerals clusters gain traction via resource/processing/logistics corridors like DRC-Zambia Copperbelt and West Africa iron ore rail.
