Uganda: Mobile Phone Market 2025

Mobile Phone Market Size in Uganda

In 2022, the Ugandan mobile phone market decreased by -1.8% to $X, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. In general, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Mobile phone consumption peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Mobile Phone Production in Uganda

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 +2.0% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the production volume increased by 21%. Mobile phone production peaked at $X in 2020; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Mobile Phone Exports

Exports from Uganda

After two years of decline, overseas shipments of mobile phones increased by 26% to X units in 2022. Overall, exports, however, showed a precipitous curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 347% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X units in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, mobile phone exports declined significantly to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, showed a sharp decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 316% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Burundi (X units), the United Arab Emirates (X units) and Tanzania (X units) were the main destinations of mobile phone exports from Uganda, together accounting for 94% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Burundi (with a CAGR of +81.5%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline.

In value terms, Tanzania ($X), Burundi ($X) and the United Arab Emirates ($X) were the largest markets for mobile phone exported from Uganda worldwide, together accounting for 92% of total exports.

Burundi, with a CAGR of +63.5%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline.

Export Prices by Country

The average mobile phone export price stood at $X per unit in 2022, which is down by -36.7% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, posted a modest increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when the average export price increased by 85% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per unit. From 2016 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Tanzania ($X per unit), while the average price for exports to the United Arab Emirates ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Tanzania (+15.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Mobile Phone Imports

Imports into Uganda

In 2022, overseas purchases of mobile phones decreased by -54.3% to X units, falling for the fifth consecutive year after two years of growth. In general, imports recorded a precipitous slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 79% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X units in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, mobile phone imports fell remarkably to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a deep contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 156%. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, China (X units) constituted the largest mobile phone supplier to Uganda, accounting for a 69% share of total imports. Moreover, mobile phone imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Hong Kong SAR (X units), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by the United Arab Emirates (X units), with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from China totaled -15.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Hong Kong SAR (-18.3% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (-5.4% per year).

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X), China ($X) and Hong Kong SAR ($X) appeared to be the largest mobile phone suppliers to Uganda, with a combined 96% share of total imports. Vietnam and India lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 2.3%.

Vietnam, with a CAGR of +13.4%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average mobile phone import price amounted to $X per unit, reducing by -32.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, posted a temperate increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the average import price increased by 160%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per unit, and then shrank significantly in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was India ($X per unit), while the price for China ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by India (+19.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform