The Mobile Economy Africa 2025 (GSMA)

Summary

• In 2024 the mobile sector contributed nearly $220 billion to the African economy, equal to 7.7% of GDP.p.4
• By 2030 the contribution is expected to reach $270 billion, or 7.4% of GDP.p.4
• Mobile productivity gains are estimated at $120 billion, followed by the sector's direct contribution of $60 billion.p.9
• The mobile ecosystem directly employed nearly 5 million people in 2024 and generated more than 3 million jobs in other sectors.p.11
• The mobile ecosystem contributed more than $30 billion in taxes in 2024, equal to 9.8% of the continent's total tax revenue.p.12
• Sub-Saharan Africa has more than 1.1 billion registered mobile money accounts and an estimated $1,100 billion in transactions in 2024, nearly 65% of the global total.p.27

Key insights

1. The mobile sector generated 7.7% of Africa's GDP in 2024, an economic value added of $220 billion.p.9
2. The sector's contribution is expected to grow at a CAGR of about 3.7%, slightly below projected GDP growth of 4.5% for 2030.p.10
3. Africa's GDP growth was 3.0% in 2024, slightly below the global rate of 3.2%.p.8
4. 58% of the unconnected African population lives in areas already covered by mobile broadband, making the usage gap the main barrier.p.5
5. As of September 2025 there were 63 MVNOs in Africa, with South Africa accounting for 61% of the total.p.22
6. GSMA Open Gateway offers 60 APIs, and 14 African networks in 12 countries have adopted it.p.28
7. According to UNCTAD, 76% of African countries now have data protection legislation.p.16
8. AI's economic potential for Africa is estimated at nearly $2,900 billion by 2030.p.15