In the dynamic telecommunications landscape of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the first half of this year has revealed a compelling story of competition and innovation, with MTN emerging as the dominant force among major operators like Airtel, Orange, and Vodacom. A detailed analysis by Ookla®, focusing on network performance across eight key countries representing 55% of the region’s mobile connections, underscores MTN’s leadership in median download and upload speeds. These countries—spanning East Africa with Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda; Southern Africa with South Africa and Botswana; and West Africa with Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)—offer a comprehensive snapshot of regional trends. Utilizing data from Ookla Speedtest Intelligence® alongside operator reports, the findings highlight disparities in 4G and 5G availability, as well as the impact of economic and operational challenges. This deep dive into SSA’s mobile network sector aims to present a clear, engaging narrative of technological progress and competitive dynamics, shedding light on how MTN has set a high benchmark while others strive to carve out their own strongholds in specific markets.
Dominance in Network Performance
The telecommunications sector in SSA is experiencing a transformative phase, fueled by significant investments in network infrastructure. Across the board, 4G remains the primary technology for internet access in many countries, yet the gradual rollout of 5G is reshaping connectivity in more advanced markets. MTN has positioned itself at the forefront of this shift, with its operating companies consistently achieving superior median download and upload speeds compared to competitors. In Southern African nations like South Africa and Botswana, speeds often exceed 50 Mbps, reflecting a robust adoption of next-generation technology and strategic spectrum allocation. This performance sets a stark contrast to other regions, where progress is slower but still notable. The data paints a picture of a region in flux, balancing the demands of a growing, tech-savvy population with the realities of varied infrastructure development.
Beyond raw speed metrics, MTN’s dominance is evident in its ability to maintain high network availability, ensuring users spend more time connected to 4G or 5G networks. This reliability translates into better user experiences, particularly in markets like Uganda and Nigeria, where 5G speeds often surpass 200 Mbps. While Southern Africa leads, East African countries show mixed results, with MTN driving strong performance in Uganda. West African markets, however, face constraints, with top speeds hovering around 35 Mbps in places like Côte d’Ivoire. These regional disparities highlight the uneven pace of technological advancement, yet MTN’s consistent outperformance across diverse geographies underscores its strategic focus on network modernization as a key differentiator in a crowded field.
Competitive Landscape Across SSA
MTN’s leadership in SSA’s telecom sector is not without competition, as other operators demonstrate notable strengths in specific markets. In South Africa, while MTN leads with a median download speed of 74.76 Mbps, Vodacom excels in 5G performance, achieving speeds of 174.9 Mbps through urban-focused strategies and wider spectrum bandwidths. This dynamic illustrates how different approaches to network investment can yield varied results, even within the same market. Orange, meanwhile, shows resilience in regions without widespread 5G, such as Côte d’Ivoire and DRC, leveraging robust 4G networks to maintain competitive speeds. These examples reflect the nuanced nature of competition, where market-specific strategies often determine success.
Elsewhere, Airtel displays potential for growth, particularly in 5G speeds in Tanzania and Nigeria, though it generally lags behind MTN in overall performance. In Kenya, Safaricom, part of the Vodacom group, holds a commanding lead with speeds more than double those of Airtel, underpinned by a 62.9% market share and a focus on digital services. These variations in competitive positioning reveal a fragmented landscape where no single operator dominates universally. Instead, success often hinges on tailored investments and an understanding of local demand. As operators navigate this complex environment, MTN’s broad-based strength across multiple countries sets it apart, though rivals continue to challenge its lead through targeted initiatives.
Regional Variations and Economic Hurdles
Southern Africa stands as the technological frontrunner in SSA, with countries like South Africa and Botswana benefiting from advanced infrastructure and high 5G availability. Median download speeds in these markets often surpass 50 Mbps, driven by early adoption of cutting-edge technology and favorable spectrum policies. This regional leadership contrasts sharply with other areas, where progress is more gradual. The disparity is not merely technological but also tied to economic conditions, as Southern African nations often have more stable environments for telecom investments. This creates a benchmark that other regions strive to reach, though the path forward varies significantly based on local realities.
East Africa presents a mixed scenario, with nations like Uganda and Kenya showing promise through operators such as MTN and Safaricom. However, overall performance still trails Southern Africa due to inconsistent 5G deployment and other infrastructural challenges. West Africa, including markets like Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire, faces even greater obstacles, with limited 5G rollout contributing to lower speeds. Economic headwinds, such as inflation and currency devaluation, further complicate matters across all regions, alongside high energy costs and regulatory shifts like reduced mobile termination rates in Uganda. Despite these challenges, SSA’s telecom sector remains a beacon of opportunity, fueled by a young population and rising demand for digital connectivity, which continues to attract substantial operator investment.
Transformative Power of 5G Technology
The introduction of 5G technology is proving to be a pivotal factor in reshaping network performance across SSA. In markets where it has been deployed, such as Uganda, Nigeria, and Botswana, MTN reports 5G median download speeds exceeding 200 Mbps, setting a new standard for connectivity. This leap forward offers users unprecedented access to high-speed internet, enabling everything from streaming to advanced digital services. Vodacom also capitalizes on this trend in South Africa, achieving impressive 5G speeds through urban densification and spectrum advantages. The transformative impact of 5G is clear, positioning early adopters as leaders in the race for digital supremacy within the region.
In stark contrast, markets without widespread 5G, such as DRC and Côte d’Ivoire, struggle to match the performance of their counterparts, with overall speeds lagging significantly. This gap underscores the urgency of broader 5G rollout to bridge disparities and ensure equitable access to modern connectivity. Network availability metrics further emphasize this point, as the percentage of time users are connected to 4G or 5G directly correlates with better speed outcomes. Initiatives like infrastructure sharing agreements between MTN and Airtel in Uganda and Nigeria offer a practical solution, optimizing costs while expanding coverage. As 5G adoption accelerates, it holds the potential to redefine SSA’s telecom landscape, provided operators can navigate the associated investment and regulatory challenges.
Unique Market Dynamics and Strategic Moves
South Africa exemplifies SSA’s technological forefront, with MTN leading at a median download speed of 74.76 Mbps, though Vodacom’s 5G performance at 174.9 Mbps signals intense competition in urban hubs. Botswana, a smaller yet significant market, showcases its status as a 5G pioneer through Mascom, an MTN joint venture, achieving speeds of 206.26 Mbps. Kenya’s market is dominated by Safaricom, which boasts a median speed of 43 Mbps and plans a $500 million investment in AI infrastructure from this year to 2028. These market-specific achievements highlight how tailored strategies can drive outsized results, even in diverse economic and geographic contexts, shaping the competitive balance.
Nigeria, as SSA’s largest market, sees MTN outpacing Airtel with a median speed of 29.59 Mbps and a robust 5G performance of 226.59 Mbps, supported by a $3.5 billion investment pledge through 2028. Economic challenges like currency depreciation persist, yet infrastructure sharing offers efficiencies. In contrast, DRC struggles with limited 4G coverage and no 5G, placing operators at a regional disadvantage, though innovative partnerships for solar-powered base stations hint at future progress. Côte d’Ivoire benefits from Orange’s leadership at 35.25 Mbps, despite lacking widespread 5G, with planned investments signaling growth. Tanzania’s scene shows Airtel leading Vodacom in 5G speeds, illustrating how competition drives innovation. These unique dynamics across markets reveal the intricate interplay of technology, investment, and local conditions in shaping SSA’s telecom future.
Future Pathways for Telecom Growth
Reflecting on the first half of this year, the telecom sector in SSA demonstrated remarkable strides, led by MTN’s consistent outperformance across diverse markets. Southern Africa’s technological edge, East Africa’s emerging potential, and West Africa’s gradual progress painted a varied yet promising picture of connectivity growth. The transformative role of 5G stood out, particularly where operators like MTN and Vodacom capitalized on early deployment, while economic and regulatory challenges tested the resilience of all players. This period marked a critical juncture, balancing rapid advancements with persistent barriers that shaped operator strategies.
Looking ahead, the focus should shift toward accelerating 5G rollout in underserved regions like West Africa and DRC to close performance gaps. Operators must prioritize infrastructure investments, potentially through expanded sharing agreements, to manage costs while broadening coverage. Addressing economic constraints through innovative pricing models and partnerships with governments could further stabilize operations. Additionally, leveraging the region’s demographic advantages—a young, digitally eager population—offers a pathway to sustain demand for services. As the industry evolves, collaboration among stakeholders will be key to unlocking SSA’s full telecom potential, ensuring that technological progress benefits a wider audience in the years to come.
