5G Expansion in Africa: How Nigeria and South Africa Compare in Mobile Technology Growth

The roll-out of 5G technology in Africa has attracted significant attention due to its potential to revolutionize connectivity, fuel economic growth, and drive innovation across various sectors.

South Africa and Nigeria are two of Africa’s largest economies, and both are key players in the ongoing 5G rollout. However, when comparing their progress in 5G adoption, it is clear that South Africa is significantly ahead of Nigeria in terms of coverage, subscription rates, and infrastructure development.

Both countries are investing heavily in 5G infrastructure, yet the pace of adoption and the challenges faced in each market present differing paths toward achieving widespread mobile technology growth.

This analysis explores the current state of 5G development in Nigeria and South Africa, comparing their strategies, opportunities, and obstacles as they navigate the challenges of 5G expansion.

Overview of 5G Technology in Africa and Its Importance

5G, or fifth-generation mobile networks, is the latest advancement in mobile telecommunications technology. 5G, the fifth-generation mobile network, promises to provide faster internet speeds, higher capacity, lower latency, and a more reliable connection than its predecessors. These capabilities make it suitable for a wide range of applications, including enhanced mobile broadband, Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity, autonomous vehicles, and smart cities. In Africa, where the digital divide has historically been a challenge, 5G represents a significant leap forward.

While 4G networks are still the dominant technology in many African countries, the potential benefits of 5G are attracting significant investment. According to Omdia, a technology research group, 5G adoption in Africa is set to accelerate, with projections that 5G penetration in the region will increase from just 1.4% in 2024 to 25.6% by 2029. The report notes that 5G data traffic will also soar, accounting for 38.2% of total cellular data traffic by 2029.

However, the speed and extent of 5G adoption vary significantly between African nations. South Africa has emerged as a leader in this domain, while Nigeria’s 5G expansion faces numerous obstacles.

See also: Vodacom Tanzania Acquires Smile for $27.4 Million to Support the Launch of 4G and 5G Network Services

Nigeria’s 5G Deployment

Nigeria, with a population of over 200 million people, represents one of the largest markets for mobile telecommunications in Africa. However, when it comes to 5G adoption, the country has faced significant hurdles.

Nigeria officially launched 5G services in 2022. MTN Nigeria, the first to launch 5G in September 2022, was followed by Airtel in June 2023, with Mafab Communications beginning its rollout later that year. Despite this early launch, Nigeria’s 5G expansion has been relatively slow.

At the end of December 2024, the country had reached only 4 million 5G subscriptions, a figure that represents just 2.46% of the total active mobile subscriptions in Nigeria. This is a stark contrast to South Africa’s progress in the same period.

Key Challenges Facing Nigeria’s 5G Rollout

Several factors have contributed to Nigeria’s slower 5G adoption rate.

Cost of Devices: The high cost of 5G-enabled smartphones remains one of the main barriers to widespread 5G adoption in Nigeria. Due to inflation and currency devaluation, smartphones are generally expensive, and 5G phones, in particular, are out of reach for many Nigerians. According to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the cost of 5G smartphones is one of the key factors hindering the mass adoption of 5G in the country.

• Infrastructure Challenges: Nigeria’s telecom infrastructure is still predominantly reliant on 2G and 3G networks. While 4G services have been expanding, the country is yet to fully upgrade its infrastructure to support widespread 5G coverage. Inconsistent power supply and frequent network outages compound the issue, impacting the performance of 5G networks.
• Regulatory Hurdles: Regulatory issues and the high cost of 5G spectrum allocation have slowed down the expansion of 5G in Nigeria. The government’s delay in providing adequate spectrum licenses and its struggle to create a stable regulatory environment has created uncertainty for telecom companies looking to invest in 5G infrastructure.
• Slow Market Penetration: As of late 2024, 4G networks have become the dominant technology in Nigeria, accounting for 47.2% of total mobile subscriptions. In contrast, 5G penetration is still minimal, with many Nigerians relying on 2G and 3G networks for their daily communications.

Opportunities for Growth

Despite these challenges, there are several opportunities for 5G to drive growth in Nigeria. The government has set a target to achieve 70% broadband penetration by 2025, and as of 2024, broadband subscriptions have increased to 83.3 million. This growing demand for high-speed internet services presents an opportunity for further 5G expansion, particularly in urban areas.

MTN Nigeria and Airtel have continued to expand their 5G networks in major cities such as Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. According to NCC, Nigeria’s broadband penetration has reached 43.67%, and the country is aiming to increase this figure to 70% in 2025.

Additionally, Nigeria’s vast and young population offers a potential market for innovative 5G applications, ranging from mobile gaming to IoT-based solutions for agriculture, healthcare, and education.

With the growing demand for high-speed internet and the increase in 5G infrastructure investments, Nigeria’s 5G market is expected to grow, but at a slower pace compared to South Africa.

See also: Airtel 5G Wi-Fi Plans in Kenya

South Africa’s 5G Deployment

South Africa has been a leader in the African 5G landscape, with significant investments from telecom giants such as MTN, Vodacom, and Telkom. The country has made remarkable progress in the rollout of 5G services, driven by early investments, competitive dynamics, and a well-developed telecommunications infrastructure.

The country’s journey toward 5G began with the launch of the first commercial 5G network in May 2020 by Rain, a South African mobile network operator. This move was soon followed by major operators, including MTN and Vodacom, both of which have made significant strides in expanding their 5G networks across the country.

By the end of 2024, South Africa reached a significant milestone, with over 50% of the population having access to 5G networks. According to Africa Analysis, a research firm, the country had approximately 10.8 million 5G subscribers by December 2024, a substantial increase from previous years. Vodacom has emerged as the leading operator regarding both 5G subscribers and revenue, with MTN not far behind.

Key Achievements and Growth

• Network Coverage: South Africa’s telecom companies have aggressively expanded 5G coverage across urban areas. As of December 2024, over 50% of the population had access to 5G networks, and this is expected to increase to 60% by 2025. According to the 2025 South Africa 5G Report by Africa Analysis, by 2029, South Africa’s 5G subscribers are projected to rise to 42 million, representing a significant growth from the current 10.8 million.
• Revenue Generation: 5G services have also become a major revenue driver for South Africa’s telecom industry. In 2024, 5G-generated revenue reached approximately R28.4 billion (about $1.5 billion), with mobile 5G services contributing 76% of the total revenue. This indicates a rapidly growing market for 5G in South Africa, driven by both consumer and business demand.
• Affordability and Accessibility: The affordability of 5G-enabled devices has been a critical factor in boosting 5G adoption in South Africa. According to Andre Wills, director of Africa Analysis, the decreasing cost of 5G smartphones and aggressive infrastructure rollouts by telecom companies have played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of 5G services in the country.
• Fixed Wireless Access (FWA): One of the major use cases for 5G in South Africa is Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), which provides high-speed internet to areas with limited fiber-optic infrastructure. This technology has been a game-changer for users in suburban and rural areas, where fiber broadband is often unavailable.

Affordability and Network Coverage

One of the key factors driving South Africa’s 5G adoption is the increasing affordability of 5G-enabled devices. As the prices of smartphones with 5G capabilities continue to fall, more consumers can upgrade to 5G services.

Additionally, the rollout of 5G infrastructure is accelerating, with the goal of covering 73% of the population by 2029. As 5G coverage expands beyond major metropolitan areas to smaller towns and rural regions, more South Africans are expected to embrace the technology.

Challenges Facing South Africa

Despite the success, South Africa still faces challenges in achieving universal 5G adoption. High smartphone costs remain a barrier for many South Africans, especially those in lower-income brackets.

Additionally, while urban areas are well-served by 5G, rural areas still lag behind in terms of coverage. However, the country’s telecom operators are investing heavily in improving infrastructure to address these gaps.

See also: 10 Affordable 5G Phones for Nigerians 2025

Comparative Analysis of 5G Expansion in South Africa and Nigeria

While both countries are making strides in 5G adoption, their progress varies considerably. South Africa is well ahead in terms of both coverage and user adoption, with over 50% of the population having access to 5G as of 2024. This is a result of proactive investments by telecom giants such as Vodacom and MTN, as well as favorable market conditions such as the decreasing cost of 5G devices and better infrastructure.

On the other hand, Nigeria’s 5G expansion is still in its infancy, with only 2.46% of mobile subscriptions on 5G networks by the end of 2024. The country faces numerous challenges, including high device costs, inadequate infrastructure, and regulatory issues. However, with ongoing investments from telecom operators like MTN and Airtel, and the government’s efforts to improve broadband penetration, Nigeria’s 5G market definitely grow, albeit at a slower pace.

Regulatory Environment and Government Support

In Nigeria, the regulatory environment for 5G has been slower to evolve. Although the Nigerian government has awarded 5G licenses to telecom operators, the process of spectrum allocation and addressing legal and regulatory hurdles has been more complex than in South Africa.

In contrast, South Africa’s government has been more proactive in promoting 5G development, with a clear regulatory framework in place to support the growth of 5G infrastructure. South Africa’s early focus on spectrum auctions, affordable devices, and urban-rural coverage has given it a competitive edge.

Economic Factors and Consumer Behavior

Nigeria’s economic challenges, including high inflation and currency devaluation, have had a direct impact on the affordability of 5G devices and services. This has slowed the rate of adoption, as many Nigerians still rely on 2G and 3G technologies for their mobile communication needs.

In South Africa, the relatively stable economic environment has enabled telecom operators to invest more heavily in 5G infrastructure and bring down the cost of 5G-enabled devices. In fact, South Africa is set to deactivate 2G and 3G networks in 2027. Consequently, South Africa has seen faster adoption rates, especially in urban areas where demand for high-speed internet is highest.

Market Potential and Growth Trajectories

Both countries have large, youthful populations that present vast market potential for 5G services.

However, Nigeria’s greater population and expanding broadband penetration offer significant growth opportunities in the coming years, provided the country can address the challenges of device affordability, coverage, and regulatory constraints.

South Africa, with its more developed infrastructure, is poised to see rapid growth in 5G adoption, particularly as network coverage increases in rural areas and industries leverage 5G for operational efficiency.

See also: ITU Report: Nigeria Ranks High in 5G and Digital Transformation

Projections for 2025 and Beyond

In 2025, South Africa is expected to continue leading the charge in Africa’s 5G race, with projections indicating that 60% of the population will have access to 5G networks and over 13% of the mobile base will be using 5G services. The expansion of 5G coverage, coupled with the increasing affordability of devices, will drive greater consumer adoption and open up new business opportunities in sectors like healthcare, mining, and manufacturing.

For Nigeria, the road to widespread 5G adoption will be more gradual. However, in 2025, the country is expected to see more significant strides in 5G deployment, especially in urban areas. As the cost of 5G devices decreases and telecom operators continue to roll out infrastructure, Nigeria’s 5G subscriber base will likely grow, albeit at a slower pace compared to South Africa.

See also: Qualcomm’s New Snapdragon Chip Aims to Make 5G Affordable for Devices Under $100

FAQs

Conclusion

South Africa is clearly ahead in the race for 5G adoption and expansion compared to Nigeria. While South Africa’s proactive investments in 5G infrastructure, affordable devices, and growing market demand have placed it in a strong position, Nigeria faces several obstacles, including high device costs and inadequate infrastructure.

However, both countries are key players in Africa’s mobile technology growth, and their progress in 5G will have significant implications for the region’s digital transformation.

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References

• Connectingafrica.com – African 5G penetration to hit 25% by 2029 – Omdia
• Itweb.co.za – South Africa’s 5G market enters dynamic growth phase
• Techcentral.co.za – Half of South Africa’s population is now covered by 5G
• Afcacia.io – 5G adoption accelerates in South Africa as coverage and affordability improve
• Nairametrics.com – Nigeria’s 5G connections hit 4 million in December 2024, as 4G expands
• Economicconfidential.com – Nigeria’s 5G Connections Jump to 4m in 2024
• Rsisinternational.org – Proposed Deployment of 5G Network in Nigeria: Problems and Prospects

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