Published by Alford Conferences Limited in April 2024, the Africa Telecom 50 Report 2023 provides a comprehensive ranking of the biggest mobile network operators (MNOs) in Africa based on mobile subscriptions.
This report aims to highlight the leading telecom players on the continent, offering insights into market trends and industry performance.
Overview of the Report
The Africa Telecom 50 Report 2023 ranks the top 50 MNOs across Africa, covering all 54 countries. The data was gathered from telecommunications regulatory bodies, mobile operators, and various online sources. This report serves as a key resource for understanding the mobile telecom landscape in Africa, where millions of people rely on mobile networks for communication, business, and digital transactions.
Leading Telecom Markets in Africa
The report reveals that Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt remain dominant in Africa’s telecommunications industry, with the highest number of mobile subscribers.
- Nigeria: Home to Africa’s largest telecom market, Nigeria had over 220 million mobile subscriptions as of July 31, 2023. MTN Nigeria led with 85,341,661 subscribers, followed by Globacom with 61,357,093 and Airtel Nigeria with 60,083,943.
- South Africa: Vodacom and MTN South Africa were the top players, with 45,510,000 and 35,880,000 subscribers, respectively.
- Egypt: Vodafone Egypt led with an estimated 44,640,000 subscribers, followed by Orange Egypt with 29,016,000 and Etisalat Egypt with 24,552,000.
Top Mobile Network Operators in Africa (2023)
According to the report, the leading telecom operators in Africa based on mobile subscriptions were:
- MTN Nigeria – 85,341,661 subscribers
- Ethiopia Telecom – 70,971,900 subscribers
- Globacom Nigeria – 61,357,093 subscribers
- Airtel Nigeria – 60,083,943 subscribers
- Vodacom South Africa – 45,510,000 subscribers
- Vodafone Egypt – 44,640,000 subscribers
- Safaricom Kenya – 43,753,364 subscribers
- MTN South Africa – 35,880,000 subscribers
- Orange Egypt – 29,016,000 subscribers
- MTN Ghana – 26,800,597 subscribers
Regional Insights
The Africa Telecom 50 Report 2023 provides a breakdown of mobile subscription numbers by region:
- West Africa: Nigeria, Ghana, and Cote d’Ivoire lead the market, with Nigeria alone contributing over 60% of total regional subscriptions.
- North Africa: Egypt dominates this region, followed by Algeria and Morocco. The telecom market in this region is highly competitive, with multiple operators vying for dominance.
- East Africa: Ethiopia has the largest telecom market, driven by Ethiopia Telecom’s longstanding monopoly. Kenya follows closely with Safaricom as the dominant player.
- Southern Africa: South Africa leads, with Vodacom and MTN as the major players. Other countries, like Angola and Mozambique, show growth potential.
- Central Africa: The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has the highest number of mobile subscribers, with Vodacom and Orange leading the market.
Data Sources and Methodology
The rankings in the report were compiled using mobile subscription data from various sources, including:
- Telecommunications regulatory agencies in countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, and Tanzania.
- Direct reports from telecom operators.
- Online news sources and research databases.
- Market reports from organizations like the World Bank and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).
The most recent data used in the rankings were from July 31, 2023, for Nigerian telecom companies, while the least updated data was from December 31, 2017, for Orange Mali.
Purpose of the Report
The Africa Telecom 50 Report serves multiple purposes, including:
- Providing telecom industry stakeholders with insights into the continent’s mobile network landscape.
Supporting investment decisions by showcasing growth trends and market leaders.
- Offering a basis for the Africa Telecom 50 Awards, a category within the World Digital Exhibition (WORLDEX), an annual technology event hosted by Alford Conferences Limited.
The Africa Telecom 50 Report 2023 is a valuable resource for understanding Africa’s mobile telecom industry. With telecoms playing a crucial role in the continent’s digital transformation, this report provides a detailed snapshot of the market and its key players. The next edition, Africa Telecom 50 Report 2024, is expected to build on this foundation with even more refined data and analysis.
