Top 10 African Countries with the Highest Cellular Mobile Connections in 2025

In Summary

• The number of cellular mobile connections in Africa is about 855 million as of 2025, with the data in some countries representing as much as 200% of their total population, due to individuals owning more than one device.  
• In 2025, Africa will record an estimated 120 million new subscribers, with Nigeria recording the highest number of mobile phone users in Africa, followed by South Africa and Egypt. 

Deep Dive!!

Africa is experiencing an unprecedented mobile revolution, with mobile phones rapidly becoming essential tools for communication, economic empowerment, and digital innovation. In a continent where traditional infrastructure is often lacking, mobile technology has emerged as a powerful equalizer that continues to bridge existing gaps in access to information, financial services, healthcare, and education.

The number of mobile phone users across Africa continues to surge, driven by population growth, more affordable smartphone options, and expanding 4G and 5G networks. As a continent of over 1.3 billion people with limited access to capital infrastructure, mobile phones are often the primary gateway to connect with people. The continent is leading the world in mobile money innovation, with East Africa being a reference point globally.

According to experts, it is difficult to correctly identify the total number of mobile phone users in a country, as there are individuals with multiple devices and cellular networks. Hence it is best to use cellular mobile connections as a yardstick to measure mobile phone penetrations and accessibility.

As you would notice in the ranking, some countries have a cellular mobile connection rate that is almost twice their population, meaning that Africa is covering a lot of ground when it comes to internet penetration in the continent. Here are the top 10 countries representing the heartbeat of Africa’s mobile revolution through cellular mobile connections.

10. Ghana 

Ghana has one of the highest mobile penetration rates in West Africa. Regulatory support, mobile finance adoption, and increased smartphone accessibility have all contributed to its rapid growth in mobile subscribers. By the end of 2025, Ghana is projected to have 38.3 million active cellular mobile connections. This figure represents 110% of the total population, indicating that many individuals likely have multiple mobile connections. The high number of connections suggests widespread mobile phone usage in Ghana. 

9. Algeria 

Algeria has a strong telecom base with major investments in 4G and fiber optic networks. The government has prioritized digitalization, and mobile platforms are increasingly used for government services and education. In early 2025, there were 54.8 million active cellular mobile connections in Algeria, according to DataReportal. This figure is equivalent to 116% of the total population, according to DataReportal. 

8. Morocco 

With a high urban population and a relatively stable telecom market, Morocco is sure to make the list. In 2025, an estimated 54.9 million mobile phone connections were active in Morocco. This represents a significant number, exceeding the country's total population and indicating that many people may have multiple mobile connections. The figure includes all active cellular connections.

7. Kenya

Kenya is globally recognized as a mobile innovation hub, thanks to services like M-Pesa. With high smartphone penetration and tech-savvy youth, mobile usage in Kenya goes beyond voice to include banking, health, and agriculture applications. In 2025, an estimated 68.8 million cellular mobile connections were active in Kenya. This figure represents 121% of the total population, meaning many individuals have multiple connections. Additionally, Kenya's mobile phone penetration rate reached 135.8% by September 2024, indicating a significant number of people using mobile phones. 

6. Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

With a vast population and expanding coverage in remote areas, DRC is becoming a mobile frontier. Operators like Airtel and Vodacom are investing heavily in infrastructure to meet rising demand. In early 2025, there were approximately 60.3 million active mobile phone connections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This represents 54.3% of the total population in the country. 

5. Ethiopia 

In early 2025, there were an estimated 85.4 million active cellular mobile connections in Ethiopia, which equates to 63.8% of the total population, according to DataReportal. This figure includes connections for services like voice and SMS, and may not all include internet access. While 28.6 million individuals used the internet in Ethiopia in early 2025, representing 21.3% of the population.

4. Tanzania – Over 90 Million Mobile Users

In 2025, Tanzania is projected to have 90.4 million mobile subscriptions. This represents a significant increase from 2020 when there were 51.2 million subscriptions. The growth is largely driven by the increasing adoption of mobile phones, particularly smartphones, and the expansion of mobile internet access according to reports.

3. Egypt

Egypt continues to dominate North Africa’s mobile space. Its mobile penetration is nearing saturation, with many users owning multiple SIM cards. Strong digital infrastructure and high smartphone usage make Egypt a major player in mobile banking, e-learning, and app development. In early 2025, Egypt had 116 million active cellular mobile connections, which equates to 99.0% of the total population. 

2. South Africa

In 2025, South Africa had 124 million active cellular mobile connections, which equates to 193% of the total population. This indicates that the number of mobile connections exceeded the population size, potentially due to multiple connections per person. Additionally, 50.8 million individuals in South Africa were using the Internet in early 2025, representing 78.9% of the population. 

1. Nigeria

Africa’s most populous country tops the list with the highest number of mobile phone users. With a population exceeding 230 million, Nigeria has witnessed massive mobile adoption, thanks to improved 4G infrastructure, affordable smartphones, and competitive telecom providers like MTN, Airtel, and Glo. In 2025, an estimated 150 million cellular mobile connections were active in Nigeria, representing 64% of the total population.