My Perspective on Africa’s Evolving Telecom Industry

 

By Oluwasegun Omolosho, Nigeria 
 Program Officer, AfICTA – Africa ICT Alliance

In Africa and other parts of the world, the telecom industry stands out as one of the most dynamic sectors and continues to play a crucial role in driving the continent’s path to development. As someone from Nigeria, a country with one of the largest telecom markets in Africa, I have seen firsthand how mobile and Internet connectivity have reshaped the way we live, work and interact. The evolution and the giant strides of the telecom industry are worthy of commendation.

Back in the early 2000s, owning a mobile phone in Nigeria was a luxury. Fast forward to today, mobile penetration has surpassed 90%, and smartphones are in nearly every household. What this tells me is simple, telecom is not just an industry. It is a tool for empowerment and inclusion. However, the story doesn’t stop at mobile access. The bigger picture lies in what connectivity enables, access to information, digital services, remote work, financial inclusion, and online education. And this is where the real transformation lies.

From Lagos to Cairo, young people are leveraging connectivity to create opportunities for themselves and their communities. In Nigeria, tech hubs are springing up with startups solving local problems, from fintech to healthtech, because the Internet has given them a platform to thrive. I imagine similar things are happening in Egypt and across North Africa, where innovation is also being fueled by access and infrastructure.

But despite the progress, we must be honest about the challenges that still remain. In Nigeria, the cost of data remains a major concern. While urban areas enjoy fast Internet, many rural communities still lack basic access. Power supply, infrastructure deficits, and regulatory bottlenecks continue to hinder expansion. These are not challenges unique to Nigeria, they reflect a broader continental reality.

Another challenge facing the telecom industry in Nigeria is the rising tariff rates, driven by the country’s economic situation I.e inflation. This increase is making connectivity less affordable, especially for underserved communities, further widening the digital divide. The root cause lies in the impact of inflation, which has also hit the telecom sector. To remain operational and sustainable in the market, service providers have had to adjust their pricing.

Amid these challenges, one of the critical areas that must not be overlooked is the adoption and implementation of IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6). As Africa’s Internet usage continues to grow, the older IPv4 addresses are becoming insufficient. IPv6 is essential for expanding Internet access, ensuring faster and more secure connections, and supporting the next generation of digital services. A broader commitment to IPv6 adoption will be key to unlocking the full potential of the continent’s telecom infrastructure.

What I find most promising is the role of partnerships and regional collaboration. Governments, telecom providers, and civil society need to align around digital inclusion as a right, not a privilege. Policies must be designed with a long term view, ensuring infrastructure development reaches the last mile. Egypt’s investments in ICT and submarine cables, for example, can serve as lessons in regional leadership and collaboration.

In my view, the next frontier for Africa’s telecom industry is not just about faster Internet or 5G. It is about what we do with the connectivity. It’s about creating digital citizens who can compete globally, while solving local problems. It’s about enabling startups, supporting remote education, encouraging women and youth participation, and strengthening cybersecurity and data privacy as we go digital.

One final thought, collaboration among young professionals across Africa is crucial. By sharing experiences, building networks, and working together, we can drive the industry forward and create a more inclusive digital future for the continent.

ِAbout the Author

Segun Omolosho is a Program Officer at AfICTA – Africa Information and Communication Technologies Alliance, where he supports digital policy advocacy and stakeholder engagement across the continent. He also serves as an Executive Consultant at Compsoftnet Technologies Limited (CSN), contributing to strategic areas such as data protection, compliance and ICT capacity building.

A Certified Data Protection Officer, ICANN 82 Fellow, West Africa School on Internet Governance Fellow, and Pan-African Youth Ambassador, Segun represents AfICTA in the ICANN Business Constituency (BC) and serves on its Onboarding Committee. He is also a passionate public policy advocate, focused on driving inclusive digital transformation across Africa.