Sixty-one telecom operators had launched commercial 5G services across 37 African markets by the end of May 2026. But the technology remains at an early stage of development on the continent, according to a report published in July by GSMA Intelligence, the research and consulting arm of the global mobile industry association GSMA. The report, titled “5G in Africa 2026: Market status, trends and outlook,” says these figures show that 5G in Africa has moved beyond proof of concept, from isolated trials to commercial deployment.
5G currently accounts for about 5% of Africa’s roughly 1.5 billion mobile connections, compared with a global average of 33%. The continent is expected to have just under 100 million 5G connections by the end of 2026. That figure is projected to reach 382 million by 2030, representing 21% of all mobile connections in Africa. By then, however, 5G will account for more than 80% of connections in several advanced markets, including China, developed Asia-Pacific markets, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the United States.
Most 5G networks deployed in Africa use non-standalone technology, which combines 5G antennas with an existing 4G core network. Standalone 5G, which uses a dedicated 5G core and operates independently of 4G infrastructure, remains in its infancy, with fewer than five operators having launched or announced projects. Structural constraints, including high deployment costs, limited fiber connectivity at network sites and difficulties accessing spectrum, make standalone 5G a longer-term prospect for Africa.
5G coverage varies widely across the continent. Only Mauritius and South Africa had networks covering more than 50% of their populations in May 2026. In most countries, coverage remains concentrated in major cities and selected industrial areas. Across Africa, mobile operators are prioritizing targeted rollouts for specific applications rather than broad nationwide consumer coverage, reflecting economic constraints, infrastructure gaps and limited purchasing power.
This strategy directs investment toward locations and applications with high revenue potential. These include 5G fixed wireless access (FWA), an alternative to fiber broadband for higher-income households, small and medium-sized businesses and underserved areas, as well as business and industrial hubs such as mining, manufacturing and logistics sites.
By focusing deployments where demand and revenue potential are strongest, operators can maximize average revenue per user, support the adoption of digital tools by businesses and conserve capital by avoiding the high cost of building large numbers of additional network sites.
Expanding coverage and lowering device costs
Beyond major cities, extending coverage will depend on whether operators can profitably deploy networks in less densely populated areas. To contain costs, operators are increasingly sharing infrastructure, including towers and active network equipment. Maroc Telecom and Inwi, for example, established joint ventures in March 2025 covering both tower and fiber infrastructure, with plans to deploy 3,000 new towers by 2028 and 6,000 by 2033.
Continued network expansion and targeted efforts to make devices more affordable, including tax cuts and device financing programs, will help drive 5G adoption. The ongoing shift from older mobile technologies should also support uptake, with some consumers potentially skipping 4G and moving directly to 5G.
The average price of an entry-level 5G smartphone in Africa remains above $100, exceeding the monthly minimum wage in many markets and putting upgrades beyond the reach of most consumers. As a result, operators are expected to focus increasingly on 5G FWA and business customers, which offer growing revenue opportunities. Across Africa, 5G FWA connections are projected to rise from about 1 million in 2026 to 3.5 million in 2030.
The report also stresses the need to accelerate deployment, increase adoption and maximize the technology’s impact in Africa. These efforts are essential to improve productivity, support innovation and broaden access to digital services. They would also help prevent the digital gap between Africa and other regions from widening as 5G helps businesses elsewhere adopt digital technologies.
Governments and operators play a central role in expanding 5G in Africa. Priorities include improving regulation and infrastructure, building skills and developing services that use the technology. Making spectrum more readily available and introducing incentives to encourage demand among consumers and businesses would also help, particularly in markets where operators have already invested heavily in networks.
For operators, earning revenue from 5G services is also essential to improve returns on investment and fund further network expansion and capacity upgrades.
Source: https://extensia-ltd.com/2026/09/14/commercial-5g-reached-37-african-markets-by-may-2026-gsma-says/
