New Report Shows Africa’s 4G Leadership and Emerging 5G Infrastructure

The October 2024 LTE Ecosystem Report offers a comprehensive analysis of the 4G and 5G network landscape across Africa, highlighting the latest data from the Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA). The report covers the progress of LTE deployment since its launch in 2012, showcasing the technology’s transformative role in improving connectivity and digital services like education, banking, and energy. Key markets such as South Africa, Angola, and Namibia spearheaded the adoption of 4G, driving socio-economic growth.

Despite widespread LTE adoption across the continent, the digital divide remains an issue. By September 2024, 160 operators in 53 African countries have launched LTE services, a notable achievement in expanding connectivity. The report also discusses the future outlook for LTE, which is slowing down, with just nine operators currently deploying or testing LTE in eight countries. In contrast, 5G technology continues to gain traction, with advances in private mobile networks and standalone infrastructure reshaping the digital future.

In addition to tracking LTE and 5G advancements, the report dives into the LTE device ecosystem, noting that the number of LTE-capable devices has increased by 8.8% since 2023. As 5G devices enter the market, LTE continues to dominate, with over 28,400 LTE-capable devices catalogued globally. The report highlights mobile phones, industrial routers, and IoT devices as significant contributors to LTE’s dominance, pointing to continued demand for LTE services even as 5G networks expand.