SA's 5G market enters 'dynamic growth phase' – Africa AnalysisSA's 5G market enters 'dynamic growth phase' – Africa Analysis

Over 50% of the South African population has access to 5G networks, according to Africa Analysis, which believes the country has entered "a dynamic growth phase."

Paula Gilbert, Editor

February 4, 2025

2 Min Read
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(Source: Image by freepik)

The South African 5G market has entered "a dynamic growth phase," with major telecommunications operators, including MTN and Vodacom, leading the expansion of 5G coverage in the country.

Over 50% of the South African population had access to 5G networks by the end of 2024, according to ICT market research and analysis firm Africa Analysis. The company said this was a significant milestone in the sector's development and forecast further 5G network expansions over the next five years.

Africa Analysis' 2025 SA 5G Report shows that South Africa had 10.8 million 5G subscribers at the end of December 2025. These users were a combination of mobile 5G subscribers and fixed wireless access (FWA) 5G users.

Andre Wills, director at Africa Analysis, said this represents a substantial increase in adoption, driven primarily by the increasing affordability of 5G-enabled handsets and expanding network coverage.

By 2029, the report forecasts a significant rise to 42 million 5G subscribers, with population coverage expected to reach 73%.

"The substantial growth observed underscores the industry's resilience and potential for further expansion. With increasing investment and emerging technologies, the 5G ecosystem is poised for even greater transformation," Wills added.

Related:African 5G penetration to hit 25% by 2029 – Omdia

Man with red dreadlocks, colorful button down shirt smiles at his smartphone.

The total revenue generated from 5G services in 2024 reached R28.4 billion (US$1.5 billion), with mobile 5G services contributing 76% and FWA services generating 24%.

Wills said that Vodacom emerged as the largest 5G mobile network operator (MNO) in terms of subscribers and revenue, while Telkom led the FWA segment.

Meanwhile, telecom service provider Comsol positioned itself in the private 5G network space, a segment that Wills said is still in its early stages of development in South Africa.

South Africa's 5G outlook

Looking ahead, the emergence of 5.5G (5G Advanced) and direct-to-consumer (DTC) satellite connectivity is expected to reshape the 5G landscape, the report said.

Africa Analysis projected 5.5G deployments for private networks to grow from 2026 onward, while DTC satellite connectivity for voice and text messaging is expected from 2027 onward.

"The introduction of these advancements will further drive connectivity, industry transformation, and the overall digital economy," Wills added.

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Southern Africa

About the Author

Paula Gilbert

Editor, Connecting Africa

Paula has been the Editor of Connecting Africa since June 2019 and has been reporting on key developments in Africa's telecoms and ICT sectors for most of her journalistic career.

The award-winning South Africa-based journalist previously worked as a producer and reporter for business television channels Bloomberg TV Africa and CNBC Africa, was the telecoms editor at online publication ITWeb, and started her career in radio news. She has an Honors degree in Journalism from Rhodes University.

Paula was recognized by Empower Africa as one of 35 trailblazers who shaped Africa's tech landscape in 2023 and she won the Excellence in ICT Journalism category at the MTN Women in ICT Awards in 2017.

Travel is always on Paula's mind, she has visited 40 countries so far and is currently researching her next adventure.

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