African 5G Device Shipments Projected for Growth
Financing programs and local assembly efforts aim to scale the adoption of 5G handsets across the continent by 2031.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Consumer Electronics
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Mordor Intelligence projected that Africa's 5G device market will reach 910 million units by 2031, growing from 500 million units in 2026. This trajectory relies on overcoming high costs that currently limit consumer adoption.
Why it matters
High device prices relative to income and fragmented spectrum allocation currently inhibit adoption, making financing and local production essential for long-term growth. The shift reflects a broader push to stabilize the 5G ecosystem across emerging markets.
The African 5G market is forecasted to grow at a 12.72% annual rate, scaling from 500 million units in 2026 to 910 million by 2031. This follows a period where low-end smartphone sales under $100 fell 34% year over year in the second quarter of 2026.
The players
MTN Mobile Money
A mobile financial services provider that integrates digital wallets with hardware financing and telecom payment infrastructure.
Vodacom
A major African mobile network operator that provides integrated connectivity, payment, and device financing services.
Mordor Intelligence
A research firm that publishes market sizing, industry analysis, and economic growth projections for emerging technology sectors.
The details
Industry players are using lease-to-own models to decouple hardware costs from upfront income requirements, effectively lowering the barrier to entry for consumers. Local device assembly further drives down prices by reducing import duties, taxes, and logistical expenses that previously inflated retail costs. These methods seek to address the uneven deployment of commercial 5G networks, which saw 40 of Africa’s 61 networks utilizing Fixed Wireless Access—a broadband service delivered over radio waves rather than cables—by May 2026.
Timeline
May 2025: Vodacom's Easy2Own program connected 18.8 million smartphones.
July 2025: MTN Mobile Money launched a lease-to-own device program.
Q2 2026: Sales of smartphones priced under $100 fell 34% year over year.
Mid-2026: 35 African countries finalized 5G spectrum allocations.
2031: Market projection target of 910 million 5G device shipments.
The Tech Race
The growth forecast for the African 5G market builds upon the 2026 shipment volume data that recently revealed a shift away from ultra-low-cost devices. This trajectory positions regional players against global competitors in a race to capture the next wave of mobile connectivity users.
Consumers can expect more flexible payment options for 5G-capable hardware as network operators scale lease-to-own programs. These financing models are intended to provide access to 5G speeds for users who are currently priced out of the entry-level smartphone market.
The takeaway
The transition to 5G across Africa hinges on the success of device financing and local assembly to offset high entry costs. Investors and industry analysts should watch for the 2031 shipment milestones to confirm if these financing models adequately bridge the current affordability gap.
Further reading
For broader trends in mobile hardware adoption, see the Consumer Electronics section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Ecofin Agency.
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