Mobile data traffic is set to soar in sub-Saharan Africa driven by 4G and 5G networks, according to a recent survey carried out by the Swedish firm Ericsson.
The region will post the world's biggest increase, with traffic rising from 1.7 exabytes in 2022 to 11.4 exabytes in 2028, representing an average annual growth of 37%.
Sub-Saharan Africa will be able to count on a young and demanding population. Mobile banking and payment services will play a key role in this growth.
"Nations in Sub-Saharan Africa are expected to invest in network infrastructure, driven by a large youthful population and a high demand for connectivity. This will also enable new growth opportunities for service providers, driven by advanced mobile data and value-added services like mobile banking and payments," explained the Ericsson report.
The Swedish provider points out that migration to 4G is continuing in the region. The network is set to become the main contributor, accounting for over half of all subscriptions by 2028.
The older 2G network remains important in rural areas today, as it is linked to attractively priced basic cell phones. But these subscriptions are set to fall to just 29% of the market by 2028.
5G in full force
But the biggest growth in the sub-Saharan region will come from 5G, as Ericsson pointed out. More than a dozen countries have already launched commercial 5G networks in the region, and several more are expected to follow.
The smartphone adoption rate in sub-Saharan Africa is expected to reach 87% in 2030, according to another survey by the Global System Operators and Manufacturers Association (GSMA).
Satellite Internet has also made inroads into some African countries, boosted by Elon Musk's Starlink. Several countries, such as Nigeria and Kenya, have already taken the plunge.