The GSM Association (GSMA) has unveiled the Advancing Digital Connectivity in Africa roadmap, which aims to close the internet usage gap in Africa and connect one billion people on the continent by 2030. Kenya is among 11 countries, including Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, and South Africa, that are likely to phase out 2G and 3G internet connections by 2030. This move is part of GSMA's efforts to speed up migration to superior broadband in Africa.
According to the GSMA, Africa has already built much of the network foundation for its digital future. However, the urgent task now is to close the usage gap by making smartphones and services affordable, equipping people with practical skills, building trust, and ensuring connectivity delivers visible value in people's daily lives. John Giusti, GSMA Chief Regulatory Officer and President of GSMA Foundation, emphasized that this goal is achievable if stakeholders work together.
Data from Kenya's Communications Authority (CA) shows that 2G and 3G mobile data subscriptions have continued to fall as more people seek faster broadband connections from 4G and 5G networks. In the past year, 2G subscriptions declined from 12.8 million to 9.3 million, a 27.3% decline. During the same period, the number of 3G subscriptions also fell by 39.2% year-on-year, from 7.4 million to 4.5 million.
On the other hand, 4G and 5G subscriptions have continued to gain subscribers. 4G subscriptions remain the most dominant mobile broadband after the number of subscribers grew from 37.2 million in 2025 to 48.3 million, while 5G grew from 1.2 million to 2.1 million within the same period. This trend indicates a significant shift towards faster and more reliable internet connections.
The Advancing Digital Connectivity in Africa roadmap targets to help Africa close the internet usage gap estimated at 906 million people, accounting for 60% of the population. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Co-Chair of the Partnership for Digital Access in Africa (PDAA), emphasized that the goal is ambitious but achievable if stakeholders work together to bring together connectivity, electrification, affordable devices, and digital skills.
Besides helping to accelerate migration to 4G/5G from 2G/3G, the roadmap also targets to integrate energy and connectivity in Africa to guarantee reliable power and enhance device use, and back sharing on infrastructure to reduce costs for consumers. This integrated approach aims to ensure that the continent's digital transformation leaves no community behind.
Within the East African Community, only Rwanda has launched a programme to phase out 2G connections as the country migrates to higher mobile broadband connections. The implementation of the Advancing Digital Connectivity in Africa roadmap in Kenya and other countries is expected to drive similar initiatives and accelerate the transition to faster and more reliable internet connections.
Key points
- Kenya is among 11 countries to phase out 2G and 3G internet connections by 2030.
- The Advancing Digital Connectivity in Africa roadmap aims to connect one billion people on the continent by 2030.
- The roadmap targets to close the internet usage gap estimated at 906 million people in Africa.
