Standing at 36% in 2024, the smartphone ownership rate in SSA is set to increase significantly in the coming years. In 2028, over half of the African population will have at least one smartphone. Six countries - South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, the DRC and Ethiopia - currently account for 54% of Africa’s 460 million smartphone users. However, there are significant disparities in smartphone penetration among these major markets: South Africa leads with 70% as of 2024, followed by Kenya. In contrast, Nigeria (45%) and Tanzania (36%) align more closely with the regional average, while Ethiopia and the DRC lag behind with penetration rates below 25%. The cost of devices remains a major barrier to smartphone accessibility, but operators are increasingly addressing this challenge through targeted initiatives. A notable example was Orange’s 2020 launch of the Sanza Touch, a $30 low-cost smartphone, which demonstrated the potential for telecom operators to drive digital inclusion. The success of the operation led to the release of the Sanza Touch 2 last year. On the OEM side, manufacturers have progressively expanded their offerings to include more affordable smartphones. Notably, brands under the Chinese group Transsion (claiming 40% of the regional smartphone market in 2024) offer numerous models priced below $40. In May 2025, MTN announced in South Africa an even more competitive offer with the launch of its $99 rand ($5) 4G smartphones. The South African government has also acted to improve affordability by removing a 9% tax on smartphones priced below 2,500 rand ($135). Local manufacturing can also come as a solution to fight high prices. In Kenya, Safaricom announced at the end of 2023 locally assembled 4G smartphones, including the flagship model Neon Smart, priced at KES 7,499 (approximately $50). The locally manufactured smartphones will be 30% cheaper compared to imported devices. For smartphone adoption to reach its full potential, especially in underserved or economically constrained areas, the next major challenge will be achieving a long-term and significant reduction in mobile data costs across the region.
