Low 5G internet penetration across Africa is primarily attributed to two significant challenges: the scarcity of price-appropriate 5G devices and widespread vandalism of telecoms infrastructure, according to Mcebisi Jonas, Chairman of the MTN Group. This insight was shared during a discussion with fellows of the Media Innovation Programme in Johannesburg. Although major 5G networks were first launched in South Africa by Vodacom and MTN in 2020 and have been gradually expanding across the continent, these entrenched issues persist, hindering mass adoption and economic benefits. GSMA projects a future where Africa will boast over 340 million 5G connections, constituting one-fifth of all mobile links, with 4G and 5G together accounting for nearly two-thirds. Furthermore, 5G alone is estimated to contribute a substantial $26 billion to Africa's economy by the decade's end, with considerable benefits for sectors like retail, manufacturing, and agriculture.

At the core of the device problem is affordability. Mr. Jonas explained that while laying cables and providing connectivity are crucial, having a sufficient number of subscribers with compatible devices to utilize the service and provide a complementary financial return is equally vital. Observations in Nigeria, Ghana, and other African nations indicate that many users lack 5G-compatible devices. For African consumers, 5G network uptake is heavily dependent on device affordability. While 5G-enabled smartphones are increasingly available, often around the $150 price range, experts believe prices must fall below the $50 mark—similar to 4G-enabled phones—to ensure mass adoption. A recent GSMA report corroborates this, identifying affordability as a major disincentive, despite device costs gradually declining. To counteract this, MTN plans to invest in acquiring 5G-enabled phones to boost penetration, particularly in Nigeria and Ghana, aiming to land network-appropriate devices at affordable prices and compatible with country-specific regulations. This strategy echoes MTN South Africa's launch of a $137.22 5G-enabled smartphone last November, and Airtel Nigeria's ongoing collaboration with device manufacturers to reduce 5G smartphone costs, as part of a broader effort to enhance accessibility. Airtel CEO Dinesh Balsingh underscored that 5G success relies on an integrated ecosystem of both network deployment and widespread device penetration, stating, “5G is not only about telecom infrastructure. It’s an ecosystem where devices and networks must come together.” Beyond private sector initiatives, governments and policymakers are urged to foster an enabling environment for smartphone financing schemes, including regulatory allowances for operators to offer mobile handsets with fixed SIM (carrier-locked) features to de-risk financing.

The second major impediment is the widespread vandalism and destruction of telecoms infrastructure, which Mr. Jonas also highlighted alongside talent retention as prevalent challenges for operators across Africa. He suggested developing a model that engages communities as custodians and protectors of this vital infrastructure. Nigeria's telecoms industry, in particular, faces recurring service disruptions due to such incidents. MTN Nigeria reported a staggering 760 fibre cuts nationwide in July 2025, bringing its year-to-date total to over 5,478 incidents. Data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) revealed that multiple fibre cuts in June 2025 severely affected telecommunication services in at least nine Nigerian states, impacting major operators like Airtel, MTN, 9Mobile, and Globacom. Mr. Jonas expressed concern over the cost implications, noting that operators in affected regions “will have to do more than what other people in other jurisdictions do,” thereby increasing service costs. Broadband fibre optic cables are the backbone of modern communication, enabling high-speed data transmission essential for social and economic activities; therefore, ensuring zero downtime is a critical priority. Bloomberg reported that Nigerian telecom players incurred approximately N27 billion ($23 million) in repairs and revenue losses from damaged cables in 2023. MTN alone spent over N11 billion between 2022 and 2023 to relocate 2,500 kilometers of vulnerable fibre cables—a sum sufficient to build over 870 kilometers of new fibre lines in underserved areas. To address this challenge, MTN plans to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) technology, in collaboration with Huawei Technologies, to monitor and protect its fibre optic cables nationwide. This AI system will detect vibrations, identify the cause, and promptly alert relevant personnel for swift response. However, as Mr. Jonas implied, technology's effectiveness has limits if the human element and community involvement remain unaddressed.