Mobile industry to invest R350bn in Africa over next five years

THE MOBILE industry plans to invest more than US$50 billion (R350bn) in sub-Saharan Africa over the next five years to provide more than 90% of the population with mobile coverage, according to the GSM Association. Making the announcement at the recent Connect Africa Summit, the Association said the investment would be used to extend the reach of GSM mobile networks to provide a rich suite of mobile multimedia services, including Internet access. The GSMA is a global trade association representing more than 700 GSM mobile phone operators across 218 countries of the world. Since sub-Saharan governments began liberalising their telecommunication sectors at the turn of the millennium, the GSMA estimates that the mobile industry has invested US$35 billion (R245bn), providing more than 500 million people (67% of the population) in sub- Saharan Africa with mobile coverage. “This surge in investment by the mobile industry has changed the lives of millions of Africans, catalysing economic development and strengthening social ties,” said Rob Conway, CEO of the GSMA. MTN, O range, Vodacom and Zain subsidiary Celtel are among the mobile operators planning to invest heavily in the expansion and enhancement of their networks.