# Global and African mobile internet connectivity trends

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/global-and-rwandan-mobile-internet-connectivity
> Updated: 2026-09-25T00:14:20.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 4.

The GSMA report ‘The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2026’ provides a detailed overview of global and regional mobile internet trends. Globally, mobile internet usage reached approximately 4.8 billion people in 2025, accounting for 59% of the population and 84% of all broadband connections worldwide. However, the rate of growth has slowed; smartphone users increased by roughly 200 million in the last year, down from the 250 million growth recorded in 2024. Significant digital divides persist. Approximately 3.4 billion people still lack mobile internet access, with 270 million people living in areas without mobile broadband coverage. Furthermore, a usage gap exists for 650 million people—8% of the global population—who rely exclusively on shared or borrowed devices to access the internet. In Rwanda, high network coverage is contrasted by a significant usage gap. As of 2025, 4G reaches 96% of the population, yet only 21% of Rwandans are unique mobile internet subscribers. This reveals a disparity between urban (57%) and rural (19%) access. Policy reforms aim to address barriers such as smartphone affordability, digital skills, and content availability, with the potential to connect an additional 1 million people in Rwanda by 2031. Addressing these disparities in Africa, the GSMA and the Partnership for Digital Access in Africa (PDAA) launched a roadmap titled ‘Advancing Digital Connectivity in Africa: Charting Africa’s Path to One Billion Connected People by 2030’. The initiative targets a usage gap where approximately 906 million people in Africa live within mobile broadband coverage but remain offline, representing roughly 60 percent of the continent’s population. Specific regional efforts include Nigeria, which reported approximately 140 million people within the usage gap in 2025.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-25: GSMA and PDAA launch roadmap to bridge Africa's digital divide

GSMA and PDAA have launched a roadmap to connect one billion people in Africa by 2030, addressing a massive usage gap affecting 906 million people despite existing mobile broadband coverage.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gsma-and-pdaa-launch-roadmap-to-bridge-africas-digital-divide

### 2026-09-21: Global mobile internet connectivity reaches 4.8 billion users

Global mobile internet users reached 4.8 billion in 2025, though growth is slowing and a significant digital divide persists for billions without access.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/global-mobile-internet-connectivity-reaches-48-billion-users

### 2026-09-19: GSMA report: 4.8 billion people used mobile internet in 2025

A GSMA report reveals that 4.8 billion people used mobile internet in 2025, yet 3.4 billion remain unconnected, highlighting persistent global digital divides in coverage and usage.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gsma-report-48-billion-people-used-mobile-internet-in-2025

### 2026-09-18: Rwanda digital reforms could connect 1 million more people to mobile internet

A GSMA report suggests reforms in smartphone affordability and digital skills could connect 1 million more people to mobile internet in Rwanda by 2031, bridging the rural-urban digital divide.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rwanda-digital-reforms-could-connect-1-million-more-people-to-mobile-internet

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Cite as: Global and African mobile internet connectivity trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/global-and-rwandan-mobile-internet-connectivity