Africa's $30 smartphone goal is getting harder to reach

GSMA: 906 million Africans, nearly 60% of the continent's population, live within 3G/4G/5G coverage but remain offline. Memory prices more than doubled between Q3 2025 and Q1 2026 and rose another 80-90% in Q2, pushing Africa's average smartphone price up $41 to $202 while sub-$100 shipments fell 34%.

• 906 million Africans under coverage remain offline
• Average smartphone price in Africa rose $41 to $202
• Sub-$100 smartphone shipments fell 34%
• Only 25% of Sub-Saharan Africa uses mobile internet