Africa’s Smartphone Shipments Up 7% in Q2 2025, Led by Affordable 5G Devices

Africa’s smartphone market recorded a solid 7% year-on-year shipment growth in Q2 2025, totaling 19.2 million units, according to the latest Canalys / Omdia report. This marks yet another strong quarter for the region, outpacing many global markets despite challenging macroeconomic headwinds.

What’s Fueling the Surge

A mix of factors contributed to the growth. Inflation eased in key markets like Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa, while currency stabilization helped restore consumer purchasing power. Vendor strategies also leaned heavily into financing options and partnerships with operators, allowing more consumers access to newer devices.

In South Africa, 5G-enabled smartphone shipments surged by 63%, showing that demand is shifting more strongly toward next-generation connectivity. TRANSSION brands (like Tecno, itel, Infinix) retained dominance with 51% market share, while Xiaomi posted a sharp 32% growth, especially strong in Nigeria and Egypt.

Challenges & Regional Differences

Not every country saw gains. Algeria saw shipments drop 27%, Morocco by 7%, largely due to weak demand and stricter import regulations. Kenya slipped about 2%, while smaller markets continue to struggle with affordability and infrastructure gaps. Feature phones still make up a large portion of overall mobile connections in many rural areas.

What It Means Going Forward

Analysts expect Africa’s smartphone market to grow at a CAGR of about 2.1% from 2025 to 2029, driven by ultra-low-cost devices (especially models priced under US$100), expansion of local assembly/manufacturing, and deeper operator financing partnerships. Though the average selling price continues to trend downward, increased competition among vendors (Transsion, Xiaomi, Samsung, HONOR, etc.) is helping keep momentum strong.