Mobile data usage in Sub-Saharan Africa is set to nearly triple by 2030, reaching an average of 14 gigabytes (GB) per active smartphone per month, compared to 5 GB in 2024, according to a report by Swedish telecom equipment giant Ericsson, published on June 24, 2025.

The report, titled Ericsson Mobility Report June 2025, shows this growth represents an average annual increase of 19%, the fastest rate worldwide.

Total mobile data traffic across all networks in the region is also projected to rise sharply, from 2.3 exabytes (1 exabyte equals 1,000 billion GB) per month in 2024 to 11 exabytes per month by 2030. This reflects an average annual growth rate of 29%, the highest globally.

This surge in mobile data traffic is largely driven by several factors: the ongoing shift from second and third-generation (2G and 3G) networks to newer technologies, improved incomes enabling more people to buy mobile data packages, the growing availability of data-heavy content, and the rising adoption of smartphones, including devices designed for augmented reality and advanced AI-powered applications.

The report also highlights the rapid expansion of fifth-generation (5G) mobile networks in Sub-Saharan Africa. The number of 5G subscriptions is expected to jump from 11 million in 2024 to 400 million by 2030. Some countries have already rolled out commercial 5G networks, with many others planning to follow in the coming years.

The swift growth of 5G will be fueled by the expansion of networks in urban areas, increased availability of affordable 5G devices, and a rising demand for mobile data and digital services from a young, tech-savvy population.

By 2030, 5G subscriptions are expected to account for about 31% of all mobile network subscriptions in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Ericsson’s projections show that 4G will see a slight decline, dropping from 41% of total subscriptions in 2024 to 37% in 2030. Meanwhile, 2G and 3G combined will shrink to just 32% of subscriptions by the end of the decade, compared to over 50% last year.

The total number of mobile subscriptions across all network generations in the region is forecast to grow from 1 billion in 2024 to 1.27 billion by 2030, marking the highest average annual growth rate in the world at 4%.

Smartphone adoption is also accelerating. The number of smartphones providing Internet access in the region is expected to reach 890 million by 2030, up from 540 million in 2024.