Number of radio sets in Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa and Nigeria

Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa and Nigeria: Number of radio sets was 4.40 million in 2008. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2008)
4.40 million
Change on year
down 17.4%
Rank
3rd
of 6 groups
All-time high
113.03 million
in 2001
All-time low
4.40 million
in 2008
Years of data
35
1970–2008

Number of radio sets in Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa and Nigeria, 1970–2008

025.0M50.0M75.0M100.0M125.0M1970198920081970: 12.8M1975: 17.9M1976: 12.9M1977: 12.7M1978: 14.1M1979: 15.6M1980: 26.3M1981: 20.9M1982: 22.1M1983: 24.3M1984: 26.7M1985: 40.7M1986: 33.0M1987: 32.0M1988: 33.5M1989: 35.1M1990: 53.0M1991: 56.8M1992: 60.2M1993: 65.5M1994: 70.7M1995: 75.5M1996: 80.9M1997: 86.8M1998: 95.2M1999: 99.8M2000: 104.1M2001: 113.0M2002: 90.3M2003: 9.2M2004: 8.6M2005: 6.8M2006: 6.7M2007: 5.3M2008: 4.4M

Source: International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication Development Report and database, and World Bank estimates.

Analysis

Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa and Nigeria recorded 4.40 million for number of radio sets in 2008. That is the lowest value across all 35 years on record.

The figure is down 17.4% on the previous year and down 95.4% over ten years.

Over the whole period, number of radio sets in Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa and Nigeria peaked at 113.03 million in 2001 and was at its lowest, 4.40 million, in 2008.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Number of radio sets in Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa and Nigeria, year by year

Annual values for Number of radio sets in Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa and Nigeria, 1970 to 2008.
Year Value Change
1970 12.80 million
1975 17.87 million +39.6%
1976 12.85 million -28.1%
1977 12.67 million -1.4%
1978 14.13 million +11.5%
1979 15.62 million +10.5%
1980 26.30 million +68.4%
1981 20.91 million -20.5%
1982 22.09 million +5.7%
1983 24.30 million +10.0%
1984 26.67 million +9.8%
1985 40.66 million +52.5%
1986 32.99 million -18.9%
1987 32.03 million -2.9%
1988 33.47 million +4.5%
1989 35.15 million +5.0%
1990 53.02 million +50.9%
1991 56.82 million +7.2%
1992 60.18 million +5.9%
1993 65.52 million +8.9%
1994 70.73 million +8.0%
1995 75.53 million +6.8%
1996 80.89 million +7.1%
1997 86.81 million +7.3%
1998 95.24 million +9.7%
1999 99.84 million +4.8%
2000 104.11 million +4.3%
2001 113.03 million +8.6%
2002 90.33 million -20.1%
2003 9.19 million -89.8%
2004 8.58 million -6.7%
2005 6.79 million -20.9%
2006 6.67 million -1.7%
2007 5.32 million -20.2%
2008 4.40 million -17.4%

Biggest year-on-year movements

Years where Number of radio sets in Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa and Nigeria changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.

YearChange FromTo
2003 -89.8% 90.33 million 9.19 million
1980 +68.4% 15.62 million 26.30 million
1985 +52.5% 26.67 million 40.66 million

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1970s 14.32 million 12.67 million 17.87 million 6
1980s 29.46 million 20.91 million 40.66 million 10
1990s 74.46 million 53.02 million 99.84 million 10
2000s 38.71 million 4.40 million 113.03 million 9

Countries ranked near Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa and Nigeria

  1. 1 Nigeria 30.96 million compare
  2. 2 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 20.00 million compare
  3. 3 Sudan 15.15 million compare
  4. 4 Egypt 14.56 million compare
  5. 5 Tanzania, United Republic of 14.41 million compare
  6. 6 Ethiopia 12.00 million compare

See the full ranking of 59 places →

More science & technology data for Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa and Nigeria

All data for Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa and Nigeria →

Frequently asked questions

What is number of radio sets in Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa and Nigeria?
Number of radio sets in Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa and Nigeria was 4.40 million in 2008, according to International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication Development Report and database, and World Bank estimates.
What is the highest number of radio sets recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa and Nigeria?
The highest recorded value was 113.03 million in 2001.
What is the lowest number of radio sets recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa and Nigeria?
The lowest recorded value was 4.40 million in 2008.
How does Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa and Nigeria rank for number of radio sets?
Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa and Nigeria ranks 3rd out of 6 groups with data for 2008.
Is number of radio sets rising or falling in Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa and Nigeria?
Over the last ten years it is down 95.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa and Nigeria data come from?
The figures come from International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication Development Report and database, and World Bank estimates, published as part of Number of radio sets. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Number of radio sets in Sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa and Nigeria. Statizoid, drawing on International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication Development Report and database, and World Bank estimates. Retrieved 14 September 2026, from https://science-tech.statizoid.com/stat/number-of-radio-sets/sub-saharan-africa-excluding-south-africa-and-nigeria/

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About this data

Indicator
Number of radio sets
Source
International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication Development Report and database, and World Bank estimates
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
59 places, 1,603 data points, 1970–2008
Last refreshed

Please cite the International Telecommunication Union for third-party use of these data. The total number of radio sets. A radio set is a device capable of receiving broadcast radio signals, using popular frequencies, such as FM, AM, LW and SW. A radio set may be a stand-alone device, or it may be integrated into another device, such as a Walkman, a car or an alarm clock.