The Mobile Economy Africa 2025 (GSMA)

Summary

• In 2024 the mobile sector contributed $220 billion to Africa's economy, representing 7.7% of GDP.p.4
• By 2030 the contribution is expected to increase to $270 billion, or 7.4% of GDP.p.4
• The mobile ecosystem directly supported 5 million jobs in 2024, plus 3 million indirect jobs.p.6
• The mobile ecosystem contributed more than $30 billion in taxes in 2024, representing 9.8% of total tax revenue.p.12
• Sub-Saharan Africa has over 1.1 billion registered mobile money accounts and transactions valued at $1.1 trillion in 2024.p.27
• AI could boost Africa's economy by $2.9 trillion by 2030, equivalent to increasing annual GDP by 3%.p.15

Key insights

1. Unique mobile subscribers are 710m in 2024 (47% of the population) and projected at 915m by 2030.p.6
2. GDP growth in Africa was 3.0% in 2024, slightly below the global figure of 3.2%.p.8
3. Productivity effects reached $120 billion, followed by a direct contribution of $60 billion.p.9
4. Mobile's contribution is expected to grow at a 3.7% CAGR between 2025 and 2030.p.10
5. 76% of African countries now have data-protection laws, according to UNCTAD.p.16
6. There are over 2,000 MVNOs in nearly 100 markets worldwide, and 63 MVNOs in 11 countries across Africa.p.22
7. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for nearly 65% of the worldwide mobile money transaction value.p.27
8. GSMA estimated mobile money fraud in Africa exceeded $1 billion in 2023.p.33
9. Operator capex is projected at $77bn for the period 2024-2030.p.6