Population coverage of mobile cellular telephony in Africa
Africa: Population coverage of mobile cellular telephony was 84.8% in 2011. ◆ Volatile
Population coverage of mobile cellular telephony in Africa, 1991–2011
Source: International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication Development Report and database, and World Bank estimates. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for population coverage of mobile cellular telephony in Africa is 84.8%, measured in 2011.
The figure is down 1.7% on the previous year and up 73.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population coverage of mobile cellular telephony in Africa peaked at 86.3% in 2010 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 1991.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 12.9% | 0.0% | 52.4% | 9 |
| 2000s | 62.6% | 47.1% | 84.8% | 10 |
| 2010s | 85.5% | 84.8% | 86.3% | 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 population coverage of mobile cellular telephony in Africa?
- Population coverage of mobile cellular telephony in Africa was 84.8% in 2011, according to International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication Development Report and database, and World Bank estimates.
- What is the highest population coverage of mobile cellular telephony recorded in Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 86.3% in 2010.
- What is the lowest population coverage of mobile cellular telephony recorded in Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 1991.
- How does Africa rank for population coverage of mobile cellular telephony?
- Africa ranks 1st out of 2 groups with data for 2011.
- Is population coverage of mobile cellular telephony rising or falling in Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 73.7%. 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 Population coverage of mobile cellular telephony (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Please cite the International Telecommunication Union for third-party use of these data. Percentage of population covered by mobile cellular telephony refers to the percentage of a country’s inhabitants that live within areas served by a mobile cellular signal, irrespective of whether or not they choose to use it. This should not be confused with the percentage of the land area covered by a mobile cellular signal or the percentage of the population that subscribe to mobile cellular service. Note that this measures the theoretical ability to use mobile cellular services if one has a cellular telephone and a subscription.