For years, discussions around 5G in Africa have focused on speed, coverage, and capacity. Faster downloads, lower latency, and more connected devices have dominated the narrative. While these improvements matter, they alone will not shift Africa’s role in the global digital economy.

The real opportunity lies not just in faster networks, but in programmable networks. By exposing 5G network capabilities through application programming interfaces (APIs), telecom operators can transform their infrastructure into innovation platforms. This opens a pathway for African developers to move from adapting global solutions to creating locally built, globally relevant products. 

In this #TechTalkThursday article, we look at how “monetizing the network edge” through 5G APIs is enabling African developers to build on network capabilities such as quality of service, location intelligence, authentication, and billing. We explore the practical use cases, industry examples, and the steps operators, regulators, and ecosystems need to take to make this shift a reality. 

Understanding the Network Edge and 5G APIs

“Monetizing the network edge” may sound technical, but it is practical. Modern 5G networks are software-driven and capable of exposing specific functions through secure APIs, including quality of service control, precise location data, network authentication, and billing integration.  This is enabled in part by the Network Exposure Function (NEF), a component of the 5G core that provides secure access to network functionality.

When operators open access to these capabilities, developers can design applications that interact directly with the network. Instead of building around the network, they build on top of it. For operators, this creates new revenue streams; for developers, it provides tools previously locked inside telecom infrastructure.  

As Roque Lozano, Senior Vice President Network Infrastructure of Nokia said; 

“You don’t need to wait three, four, or five years until the end of the project to get the money back. You can really monetize from the very first steps of the network, from the very first step of the deployment, and invest again in connectivity.” 

-Roque Lozano, Senior Vice President Network Infrastructure, Nokia

This highlights how operators can start generating revenue from network services immediately, creating a sustainable cycle of investment and innovation. Telecom vendors like Ericsson explicitly position network exposure as a way for operators to create new revenue streams and to enable developers to build next‑generation services. These APIs are not just data endpoints; they are mechanisms that bring network intelligence into applications. 

“We are actively exploring solutions that can shape Africa’s future. We are also focused on unlocking the full potential of 5G for the entire ecosystem through APIs, enabling local developers to innovate and build on 5G as a platform.”

– Majda Lahlou-Kassi, Vice President and Head of Customer Unit West and Southern Africa,  Ericsson 

Why 5G APIs Matter for African Developers

Traditionally, African developers have built applications that rely on global cloud platforms or on top of connectivity without interacting directly with the telecom network itself. Core network functions such as device identity, billing‑relevant events, or guaranteed service levels have been inaccessible because they were embedded deep inside proprietary systems.

Exposed 5G APIs change this dynamic. They allow developers to integrate network capabilities directly into their services without having to negotiate bespoke agreements every time. Developers can use APIs for identity verification and fraud reduction, or for connectivity‑aware features that adapt based on network conditions.

This reframes telecom operators from being “pipes” into becoming innovation platforms that provide genuine building blocks for digital services. 

“For us, one element that makes 5G an interesting and transformative technology for Africa is all the capabilities it offers. And it goes beyond the latency and the throughput. When you open the capabilities of the entire network to developers, you can really scale up innovation to a level that we can’t even now realize. From an Ericsson standpoint, network exposure is a big area we focus on, and we also aim to bring the entire ecosystem to support us in this effort. We are having conversations with local partners on how they can develop applications that we can scale based on the capabilities of the 5G network.” 

– Majda Lahlou-Kassi, Vice President and Head of Customer Unit West and Southern Africa,  Ericsson

Use Cases Relevant to Africa

The value of 5G APIs is clearest when applied to Africa’s specific needs. In fintech and insurtech, identity and authentication APIs strengthen digital onboarding and reduce fraud. Logistics and mobility services benefit from location and latency controls, improving fleet tracking and urban transport. In healthcare, priority network access ensures critical communication remains reliable during congestion or emergencies. Media and gaming platforms can also leverage quality of service controls to deliver consistent experiences, opening opportunities for local content.

These examples show how network capabilities can be applied to real, African problems, turning infrastructure into a foundation for innovation. 

Globally, operators like Orange, Telefónica, and Vodafone have already demonstrated how APIs such as Quality‑on‑Demand can be exposed to external developers using common, harmonised interfaces, with partners like Ericsson and Vonage supporting this effort. 

From Consumption to Production

Exposed APIs shift Africa’s role in the digital economy. Developers can build exportable products tailored to African contexts but scalable globally. Revenue and skills stay within local ecosystems, fostering sustainable growth.

This is more than an innovation trend, it aligns with Africa’s broader digital industrialisation goals, enabling the continent to generate intellectual property and services from its own infrastructure rather than relying solely on global platforms.

What Ecosystem Players Must Do

The potential of monetizing the network edge depends on coordinated action:

• Operators need clear, standardised APIs, transparent pricing, and developer-friendly onboarding processes.
• Regulators should enable platform-based telecom models and ensure fair competition that encourages innovation.
• Developer communities and institutions must build capacity in network-integrated development, not just traditional app building.

Industry-wide initiatives like GSMA Open Gateway  and CAMARA  are crucial because they promote harmonised APIs, reducing fragmentation and enabling cross-operator interoperability.

What Success Looks Like

Success is measured by what is built on top of networks, not by speed alone. In a thriving ecosystem, telecom infrastructure becomes a foundation for innovation. African developers create regionally relevant, globally competitive services. Operators diversify revenue while strengthening their role as digital enablers. Africa moves from market to contributor, shaping the next generation of digital infrastructure and services. 

Monetizing the network edge is not merely a business strategy. It is a pathway to digital sovereignty, skills development, and sustainable growth. With the right coordination between operators, developers, and regulators, 5G can become a platform for creation rather than consumption.