The migration to 5G coverage will add additional 15 million people to the number of internet users in Nigeria by 2028, said a finding of the Nigeria Digital Economy Report in 2024 presented by GSMA over the weekend.
The Head, Sub-Saharan Africa, GSMA, Angela Wamola, at a joint virtual media discussion with the Senior Director Public Policy and Communications Sub-Saharan, Caroline Mbugua, said the growth and development of the sector and the broader economy would be stimulated by 2028 if the necessary 4G and 5G coverage with the right level of quality of service was provided.
She noted that the major challenge in Nigeria and Sub-Sahara Africa was that few people were using mobile internet.
It is estimated that Nigeria has only 1 per cent of 5G of coverage and is only aspiring to get to 17 percent of its population by 2030.
To break the cycle, according to Wamola, will require a collective approach and tightening of belts.
Her words: “The challenge today that we have in Sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria included, is that the minority of the people are using mobile Internet. The infrastructure exists, but very few people are using mobile internet.”
