Mobile communication investment in Africa
Africa: Mobile communication investment was 3.62 billion current US$ in 2011. ◆ Volatile
Mobile communication investment in Africa, 1996–2011
Source: International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication Development Report and database, and World Bank estimates. Measured in current US$.
Analysis
Africa recorded 3.62 billion current US$ for mobile communication investment in 2011.
The figure is up 7.4% on the previous year and up 253.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, mobile communication investment in Africa peaked at 5.64 billion current US$ in 2008 and was at its lowest, 372.38 million current US$, in 1996.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Mobile communication investment in Africa, year by year
| Year | current US$ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 372.38 million current US$ | — |
| 1997 | 451.99 million current US$ | +21.4% |
| 1998 | 754.58 million current US$ | +66.9% |
| 1999 | 559.41 million current US$ | -25.9% |
| 2000 | 618.18 million current US$ | +10.5% |
| 2001 | 1.03 billion current US$ | +66.1% |
| 2002 | 870.75 million current US$ | -15.2% |
| 2003 | 1.25 billion current US$ | +44.0% |
| 2004 | 1.25 billion current US$ | -0.4% |
| 2005 | 3.22 billion current US$ | +157.5% |
| 2006 | 4.35 billion current US$ | +35.4% |
| 2007 | 5.16 billion current US$ | +18.6% |
| 2008 | 5.64 billion current US$ | +9.3% |
| 2009 | 3.79 billion current US$ | -32.9% |
| 2010 | 3.38 billion current US$ | -10.8% |
| 2011 | 3.62 billion current US$ | +7.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 534.59 million current US$ | 372.38 million current US$ | 754.58 million current US$ | 4 |
| 2000s | 2.72 billion current US$ | 618.18 million current US$ | 5.64 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.50 billion current US$ | 3.38 billion current US$ | 3.62 billion current US$ | 2 |
Countries ranked near Africa
More science & technology data for Africa
- Proportion of individuals using the Internet 41.8% (2025)
- Proportion of population covered by at least a 2G mobile network 94.9% (2025)
- Proportion of population covered by at least a 3G mobile network 90.2% (2025)
- Proportion of population covered by at least a 4G mobile network 77.6% (2025)
- Proportion of individuals who own a mobile telephone, by sex 69.4% (2024)
- Proportion of adults (15 years and older) with an account at a 54.9% (2024)
- Mobile phone subscribers 623.58 per 1,000 people (2011)
- Telephone mainlines 28.95 per 1,000 people (2011)
- Telephone (mainlines and mobile phone) subscribers 652.53 per 1,000 people (2011)
- Revenue from mobile communication 25.95 billion current US$ (2011)
Frequently asked questions
- What is mobile communication investment in Africa?
- Mobile communication investment in Africa was 3.62 billion current US$ in 2011, according to International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication Development Report and database, and World Bank estimates.
- What is the highest mobile communication investment recorded in Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 5.64 billion current US$ in 2008.
- What is the lowest mobile communication investment recorded in Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 372.38 million current US$ in 1996.
- How does Africa rank for mobile communication investment?
- Africa ranks 1st out of 6 groups with data for 2011.
- Is mobile communication investment rising or falling in Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 253.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Africa data come from?
- The figures come from International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication Development Report and database, and World Bank estimates, published as part of Mobile communication investment (current US$). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 16 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data).
About this data
Please cite the International Telecommunication Union for third-party use of these data. Annual investment on equipment for mobile communication networks. Data is in US dollar.