Mobile phones have become the passports to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, a revolution shaped by digital technology in which Africa is emerging as a key player in the global mobile phone market.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution, marked by significant technological advancements—particularly in digitalisation, automation, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT)—represents a profound shift in the way we work, live, and interact with one another. Central to this revolution, the mobile phone serves as the primary device facilitating the integration of data, humans, and machines, thereby driving the breakthroughs that define our modern age.
According to Datareportal, 70 percent of the world’s population now uses a mobile phone, with the number of unique mobile users reaching 5.68 billion as of July 2024. The number of cellular connections associated with smartphones continues to rise, and with more than 7 billion smartphones currently in use, these devices now account for approximately 87 percent of all mobile phones worldwide.
For years, Africa has been sidelined in global digital discussions, often overshadowed by negative stereotypes that portray the continent as technologically backward compared to the West. However, this narrative is rapidly changing, as Africa strives for prominence in the digital age.
With a notable yearly increase in mobile phone usage and shipments, Africa is experiencing robust growth in the mobile phone industry. It is estimated that there will be over 500 million mobile phone users on the continent by 2025. Notably, Africa’s telecommunications industry is growing at a faster rate than Asia’s.
According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Africa now boasts the fastest-growing mobile phone market in the world, with consumption increasing at an annual rate of 65%, nearly twice as fast as in Asia.
Recent research from Canalys indicates that 19.2 million mobile phone units were shipped to African nations in the fourth quarter of 2023, representing a 24% year-on-year increase. Analysts attribute this rising demand to the growth of social media, the expansion of the digital services sector, and the advent of convenient payment platforms, Fintech solutions, and other emerging business tools.
Mobile phones are driving Africa’s economic progress by enabling businesses to enter new markets, improving access to financial services, and boosting e-commerce. The advent of mobile money services has revolutionised transactions, empowering the previously unbanked population.
In essence, the mobile phone has become Africa’s passport to the Fourth Industrial Revolution—an indispensable tool fostering innovation, social empowerment, and economic development. As the continent continues to embrace the digital era, mobile phones will play an increasingly critical role in shaping Africa’s future.
