Africa faces digital divide as smartphone costs rise

Africa faces a growing digital divide as infrastructure expansion outpaces device affordability. While 4G coverage has reached high levels in countries like Senegal (97%), Uganda (98%), and Nigeria (over 80%), approximately 906 million people—nearly 60% of the continent's population—remain unconnected due to the high cost of hardware.

The industry goal of providing functional smartphones for approximately $30 is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve. Rising costs for memory chips, which saw significant price hikes between late 2025 and early 2026, have driven the average smartphone price in Africa up by $41 over one year to $202. Consequently, deliveries of models priced under $100 have dropped by 34%.

In response to service quality concerns, regulatory bodies are taking action. In Guinea, the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ARPT) has established a new Digital Services and Users Department. This initiative aims to improve oversight of internet service providers, monitor technical quality of service (QoS), and better track the actual quality of experience (QoE) for daily subscribers.