Top 10 African Countries Leading in Mobile Phone Ownership and Usage

In Summary

• Commonly in Africa, many people have two or more SIM cards to use different networks and better data services. By acting this way, mobile penetration goes past 100%, so phone connection statistics say more about how accessible phones are.
• Though the income per person is low in several countries, nearly everyone in Gabon, Eswatini, and Côte d’Ivoire has a mobile device.
• Possessing a phone has spread widely in Africa, but smartphone access is most common in South Africa, Egypt, and Morocco. Therefore, they can more easily access digital services, mobile banking, and digital learning.

Deep Dive!!

In 2025, Africans rely on mobile phones for business, banking, studying, and healthcare, in addition to communication. Any mobile device is important for people living in rural areas or big cities.

Mobile connectivity in the continent has been increasing year by year, and in early 2025, over 1 billion active SIM cards will be operating in Africa. Some countries are ahead of others in economic development. Some places have far more mobile phone SIMs than they have people.

Each country is given a rank depending on the number of people using a mobile device at the given time, the rate of mobile coverage (SIMs for every 100 in the population), and the overall number of people who own feature phones and smartphones.

10. Eswatini

Nearly 94% of people in Eswatini now own mobile phones. Even with a small population of 1.18 million, everyone now has access to mobile connectivity which helps many people take part in financial services using their phones. Most people own more than one SIM card, which has helped mobile phone users surpass the 100% mark, and the government is expanding networks so rural areas are well-connected.

9. Mauritius

More than 94% of people in Mauritius own mobile phones because the telecom sector is very advanced. Because many people use several SIMs and smartphones, the country now exceeds 120% in simultaneous use. In Mauritius, having a mobile line usually means access to fast internet and this has made the country very digital. Because it is both compact and economically stable, Mauritius has integrated technology more quickly than many bigger countries.

8. Côte d’ Ivoire

94% of people in Côte d’Ivoire have a mobile phone, mainly because of the rapid rise in mobile money services used by millions across the country. Several competing operators in telecom help drive down access costs for customers. More smartphones are being used due to high youth employment and the fast-growing middle class and the government encourages policy solutions to enlarge network reach and reduce the divide between people with modern technology and those without.

7. Gabon

Nearly 96% of Gabonese people own mobile phones which is one of the highest rates in Africa. Due to the small population, most telecom companies in the country can easily cover every person. Mobile phones are used by more people than the number of users because some users have more than one SIM card. Modern telecom structures are now available in Gabon because of its oil wealth, serving both city and rural areas with steady service.

6. Morocco

Many Moroccans own multiple SIM cards which has led to a mobile penetration rate above 137%. Because over 95% of adults have mobile phones in the country, a variety of service providers give users many choices, and large sums are spent on both 4G and emerging 5G services. Morocco’s approach to digital development encourages people to own smartphones and learn about technology which has given mobile connectivity to cities as well as rural regions.

5. Ethiopia

Around 77 million people in Ethiopia were using mobile phones by early 2024 which means the penetration rate is about 60%. Even though its growth is not as fast as some of the others, the country has been expanding its mobile sector rapidly after a long period of limited access. Government changes to the telecom sector encouraging new entrants are likely to increase the number of users. More people here are depending on their phones to get financial services and information about farming.

4. Kenya

There are roughly 66 million mobile connections in Kenya and penetration is more than 118%. M-Pesa made Kenya famous for mobile money, and many people there use their phones for fintech, health, and education. People are embracing smartphones, especially in cities, which is fueling the need for more online services and applications. Prices in telecom are affordable because of stiff competition.

3. Egypt

In the early months of 2024, there were more than 110 million active phone connections in Egypt and nearly all Egyptians owned a phone (94%). Because the government is working on digital and smart city projects, mobile access has grown quickly. Though feature phones are still used by some, smartphone ownership is increasing, and young people lead the way in digital activities.

2. South Africa

The country has over 118 million mobile networks which is a penetration rate (195%) almost twice as high as many other countries. The very high rate is caused by many people having multiple SIM cards, mainly found in big urban areas. Mobile networks in South Africa have reached maturity, offering 4G to most users and starting to add 5G technology. Because smartphones are easy to get and they offer reasonable data plans, the country leads its region in digital areas.

1. Nigeria

Over 200 million Nigerians have connections via mobile devices which amounts to an 85% penetration rate. Because Nigeria has the highest population among African countries, it has the largest number of users for mobile phones even though its penetration rate is not as high as some other small nations. By 2025, an estimated 140 million Nigerians will have smartphones. Because of the lively sector and rising digital economy, phones are becoming the main tool for both shopping and entertainment in this country.