Africa: Mobile Phone Market 2025

Mobile Phone Market Size in Africa

The African mobile phone market expanded to $X in 2022, growing by 3% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a temperate increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +44.0% against 2016 indices. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Mobile Phone Production in Africa

In value terms, mobile phone production stood at $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 26% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Mobile Phone Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2022, approx. X units of mobile phones were exported in Africa; which is down by -24.9% against 2021. In general, exports recorded a abrupt slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 103%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X units. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, mobile phone exports declined to $X in 2022. Overall, exports saw a slight decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 64% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

In 2022, South Africa (X units) was the largest exporter of mobile phones, constituting 57% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Morocco (X units), committing a 35% share of total exports. Rwanda (X units) took a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Rwanda (with a CAGR of +54.5%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, the largest mobile phone supplying countries in Africa were Morocco ($X), South Africa ($X) and Rwanda ($X), with a combined 96% share of total exports.

Rwanda, with a CAGR of +57.4%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per unit in 2022, rising by 29% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 an increase of 44% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per unit in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Morocco ($X per unit), while South Africa ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Morocco (+5.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Mobile Phone Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2022, the amount of mobile phones imported in Africa soared to X units, growing by 23% on 2021. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 76% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, mobile phone imports fell to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +33.7% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 50% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then contracted in the following year.

Imports by Country

South Africa represented the major importer of mobile phones in Africa, with the volume of imports recording X units, which was approx. 45% of total imports in 2022. Libya (X units) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 10% share, followed by Ghana (6.9%) and Kenya (5.9%). Tunisia (X units), Mali (X units), Algeria (X units), Somalia (X units), Guinea (X units), Democratic Republic of the Congo (X units) and Madagascar (X units) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to mobile phone imports into South Africa stood at +7.6%. At the same time, Somalia (+73.3%), Mali (+66.2%), Libya (+47.0%), Guinea (+39.2%), Democratic Republic of the Congo (+31.9%), Ghana (+31.7%), Madagascar (+25.7%), Tunisia (+6.7%) and Kenya (+1.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Somalia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +73.3% from 2012-2022. Algeria experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. While the share of Libya (+9.8 p.p.), Ghana (+5.9 p.p.), Mali (+3.6 p.p.), Somalia (+2.5 p.p.), Guinea (+2.2 p.p.) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (+1.7 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Algeria (-4.3 p.p.), South Africa (-4.3 p.p.) and Kenya (-6.1 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported mobile phones in Africa, comprising 34% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Libya ($X), with an 8.6% share of total imports. It was followed by Tunisia, with a 6.1% share.

In South Africa, mobile phone imports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Libya (+34.1% per year) and Tunisia (+13.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Africa stood at $X per unit in 2022, waning by -27.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a pronounced shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the import price increased by 12%. The level of import peaked at $X per unit in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Tunisia ($X per unit), while Madagascar ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Tunisia (+5.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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