The shipment of 5G-enabled devices increased by 26.9 per cent to Nigeria and other Sub-Saharan African countries in the second quarter of 2022 according to the GSMA.
This is following the recent launch of 5G network in Nigeria. The global association of telecommunication firms disclosed that the availability and affordability of 5G devices would be crucial to 5G adoption in the region.
In its report titled ‘The mobile economy: Sub-Saharan Africa 2022’, it said, “The availability of 5G devices – and at affordable prices – will be crucial to 5G adoption in Sub- Saharan Africa.
“This is especially true given that the sluggish uptake of 4G across the region is, in large part, attributable to the high cost of devices relative to average income levels. That said, smartphone shipment data for the region suggests growing demand for 5G-enabled devices.
“For example, in the second quarter of 2022, the shipment of 5G-enabled devices increased by 26.9 per cent, significantly outpacing the overall growth of smartphone shipments to the region.
“Growth is being driven by a number of factors, including a young and tech-savvy population with a taste for the latest technology and increasing competition among handset-makers to bring the most advanced but affordable models to market.”
According to it, cheaper 5G devices were mainly produced by Chinese vendors, with Transsion brands leading the market in terms of number of sales. It added that at the end of September 2022, 214 mobile operators in 81 markets worldwide had launched commercial 5G services.
GSMA explained that 5G was becoming mainstream in pioneer markets, with 5G accounting for nearly half of mobile connections in South Korea and more than a third in the US.
It stated that the growth of 5G had been boosted by a number of factors, including economic recovery from the pandemic, rising 5G handset sales, and overall marketing efforts.
Speaking about Sub-Saharan Africa, the association said 5G launch had got off to a gradual start with commercial services now available in five countries in the region.
