INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Mobile Technology
the Internet through mobile devices, while the number of
registered mobile money accounts has reached 280 million.
Mobile operators and others are also leveraging the ubiquity
of mobile networks across the region to deliver services
that are working towards achieving the UN Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) in areas such as energy, water and
sanitation, healthcare and education.
Driving the regional economy and building
a digital Africa
Mobile technologies and services generated $110 billion of
economic value in sub-Saharan Africa in 2016, equivalent
to 7.7% of regional GDP3 – a figure expected to grow to
$142 billion (8.6% of GDP) by 2020. The mobile ecosystem
also directly and indirectly supported approximately 3.5
million jobs in the region last year and made a $13 billion
contribution to the public sector in the form of taxation.
Local mobile operators have invested $37 billion in their
networks over the past five years, mainly to deploy new
3G/4G mobile broadband networks. About a third of mobile
connections in the region were running on mobile broadband
networks at the end of last year, forecast to rise to 60% by
MOBILE ECONOMY
SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
2016
420 million
535 million
6.2% CAGR 2016–20
2020
43%
PENETRATION
RATE
50%
2016
731 million
6.6% CAGR 2016–20
2020
2020. These new networks – alongside rising smartphone
adoption – are driving demand for digital content and services.
“As sub-Saharan Africa transitions to higher levels of mobile
engagement, underpinned by growing access to mobile data
services and smart devices, we are seeing a flourishing mobile
ecosystem emerge, supported by growing investments by
operators and others in mobile-focused start-ups and tech
hubs,” added Granryd. “Building this digital society requires
collaboration between governments and the mobile industry
to develop the policies and programmes that create the right
incentives for innovation and an enabling environment for
extending connectivity to all.” n
Mobile
contributing
to economic
and social
development
across
Sub-Saharan
Africa
SIM connections
Unique
mobile
subscribers
“Subscriber growth is expected
to be concentrated in large,
underpenetrated markets such
as the Democratic Republic of
Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Nigeria
and Tanzania.”
Mobile
industry
contribution
to GDP
85%
ACCELERATING MOVES TO MOBILE BROADBAND NETWORKS
AND SMARTPHONE ADOPTION
Mobile data traffic to grow
by a CAGR of
60% 498m 66%
by 2020
Data growth
driving
revenues
and operator
investments
smartphones, growth of
300 million from the end of 2016
over the period 2016–2020
Public funding
$40 billion
$43 billion
1.8% CAGR 2016–20
2020
Operator CAPEX of up to $31 billion for the period 2017–20
2016
2020
38%
FINANCIAL INCLUSION
Delivering financial inclusion to the unbanked
populations. As of December 2016 there were
140 live mobile money
services in 39 countries
INNOVATION
Delivering innovative new services and apps.
Number of M2M connections to reach
$110bn
2020 $142bn
2016
7.7%
GDP
8.6%
GDP
Employment
Mobile ecosystem contribution
to public funding (before regulatory
and spectrum fees)
Operator total revenues
2016
MOBILE INTERNET PENETRATION
26%
PENETRATION
RATE*
942 million
By 2020, there will be
Delivering digital inclusion to the still
unconnected populations.
26 million by 2020
74%
*Excluding M2M
Mobile broadband
connections to increase
from 33% of total in 2016 to
DIGITAL INCLUSION
2016
2020
$13.0bn
$15.4bn
Jobs directly supported
by the mobile ecosystem
2016
2020
1.1 million
1.3 million
Plus an additional 2.8 million
indirect jobs supported in 2020
Infographic courtesy of GSMA
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