A new report released yesterday by GSMA at the ongoing Mobile 360 Series Africa conference in Cape Town, South Africa has indicated that the mobile industry in the region has contributed over $100 billion to the region’s economy in 2014.
According to the new study “The Mobile Economy – Sub-Saharan Africa 2015”, the $102 billion economic contribution in 2014 was equivalent to 5.7 per cent of the region’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Based on the report, mobile operators directly contributed $31 billion, representing 1.7 per cent of GDP.
The economic contribution, the report indicated is expected to increase over the coming years as mobile operators continue to extend connectivity to unconnected populations across the region and roll out new mobile broadband networks and services.
Meanwhile, mobile operators in the region, according to the report had invested $9 billion in network infrastructure development in 2014, a 16 per cent increase on the amount invested in 2013.
The ongoing investment in mobile broadband networks will see capital investments reach US$13.6 billion by 2020, the report added.
Accordingly, the report highlighted how mobile operators are working on innovative solutions to expand network coverage to underserved populations in rural and geographically remote areas, and to tackle the barriers to mobile phone adoption, including affordability and digital literacy.
