More operators in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are introducing 5G, as they continue to expand their 4G networks. For telecom service providers, it is crucial to gauge how these investments affect mobile customer experience and support their operational and financial objectives. Using Ookla Speedtest Intelligence® data and operators’ reports, we analyzed the mobile network and operational performance of operating companies (opcos) and joint ventures of four main groups in the region – Airtel Africa, Orange, MTN, and Vodacom – across the 8 countries. These countries account for 55% of the region’s mobile cellular connections, according to GSMA Intelligence. They include:

• East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda
• Southern Africa: Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Botswana, and South Africa
• West Africa: Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria

Key Takeaways

• The groups’ opcos in South Africa and Botswana led SSA with a median mobile download speed of over 50 Mbps. Speedtest Intelligence data shows that MTN South Africa delivered the fastest median download speeds for All Technologies across the analyzed operators, at 74.76 Mbps in H1 2025. It was followed by MTN’s joint venture, Mascom, and Orange in Botswana, with a download speed of over 56 Mbps.
• MTN South Africa led the region in median download speed, while Vodacom ranked fourth among surveyed operators, but the latter came first for 5G in South Africa. MTN significantly outperformed in both median download and upload speeds of 74.76 Mbps and 13.65 Mbps, respectively, in H1 2025, while Vodacom recorded 52.31 Mbps and 7.88 Mbps, respectively. However, Vodacom took the top spot with 5G median download and upload speeds of 174.9 Mbps and 11.86 Mbps, respectively. This advantage is linked to the use of a wider bandwidth of spectrum bands and a network strategy that prioritizes network densification in urban centres.
• MTN took the top spot in Nigeria and Uganda, way ahead of Airtel in terms of median download and upload speeds. MTN Uganda is the top performer among the surveyed opcos in East Africa, while MTN Nigeria outperformed other operators in West Africa in 5G download speed.
• Mascom and Orange in Botswana were among the best-performing operators. The country has been a pioneer in 5G, with Mascom getting a slight edge in median download and upload speeds over Orange, at 65.34 Mbps and 18.35 Mbps, respectively. In Côte d’Ivoire, where the same two groups compete, Orange secured the top spot with a median download speed of 35.25 Mbps.
• MTN operations in Uganda, Nigeria, and Botswana were also the only operators with a 5G median download speed above 200 Mbps. The second group of operators includes Orange (Botswana), Safaricom (Kenya), Airtel (Nigeria and Uganda), Vodacom, and MTN (South Africa). These operators achieved median download speeds ranging from around 160 Mbps to 186 Mbps. In contrast, Airtel (Tanzania and Kenya) and Vodacom (Tanzania) had lower median download speeds, ranging between 60 Mbps and 130 Mbps.
• Safaricom commanded a significant lead over Airtel in median download speed for All Technologies in Kenya, while in Tanzania, Airtel comfortably outperformed Vodacom in 5G. Safaricom comes in on top by a long shot in Kenya for median download and upload speeds for All Technologies; more than 2.4x higher than those of Airtel at 43 Mbps and 15.11 Mbps, respectively, the highest gap between two opcos in any reviewed market. The gap in 5G performance is even bigger, with Safaricom’s download and upload speeds around three times those of Airtel.
• In the DRC, which hosts opcos from three groups, Orange outperformed in download speed, and Airtel had the highest upload speed. However, compared to the other groups’ opcos, the lack of 5G services and relatively limited 4G performance in the country weighed on the ranking of all DRC operators, with Airtel and Vodacom trailing at the bottom of the opco list.

The groups’ opcos in South Africa and Botswana led SSA in terms of  median mobile download speeds

Speedtest Intelligence data shows that the median download speed of the 19 selected operators from the four groups ranged from 14.8 Mbps for Vodacom (DRC) to 74.76 Mbps for MTN (South Africa) in H1 2025, while the median upload speed varied between 6.15 Mbps in Airtel (Kenya) and 18.35 Mbps for Mascom (Botswana), a joint venture of MTN.

We also used Speedtest Intelligence data to assess how frequently mobile users connect to 4G and/or 5G networks (referred to as Network Availability). A high propensity to connect to 4G and/or 5G suggests a high level of network reach and users’ readiness to use 4G/5G services (i.e., owning a smartphone and subscribing to a 4G/5G data package). Generally, the more time users spend connected to 5G, the more likely they are to experience better performance.

The four groups’ operators in Côte d’Ivoire and the DRC have not yet widely launched 5G services. Deployment of 5G generally leads to a boost in mobile performance, with operators in South Africa, Botswana, Uganda, and Kenya leading the region. Sparse 5G coverage likely limited the 5G performance uplift for operators like Airtel (Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania) and Vodacom (Tanzania). These operators underperformed in terms of median download and upload speeds. 

On the other hand, MTN (Cote d’Ivoire) and operators in DRC, which have not commercialized 5G, tended to underperform others, with a median download speed not exceeding 25 Mbps in H1 2025. The few exceptions include Orange (Côte d’Ivoire), which achieved competitive performance levels despite not having launched 5G.

Comparing the 5G performance of the same operators shows that MTN’s opcos and joint ventures top the list. MTN operations in Uganda, Nigeria, and Botswana were the only operators with a 5G median download speed above 200 Mbps. The second group of operators, which includes Orange (Botswana), Safaricom (Kenya), Airtel (Nigeria and Uganda), Vodacom, and MTN (South Africa), achieved a median speed between around 160 Mbps and 186 Mbps. Airtel (Tanzania, Kenya) and Vodacom (Tanzania) trail the list with a median download speed between 60 Mbps and 130 Mbps.

In terms of regional differences, operators in Southern Africa tend to perform better than those in Eastern Africa, with median download speeds above 45 Mbps. Operators in Eastern Africa also deliver better network download speeds than those in Western Africa, where the top speed reached 35.25 Mbps for Orange (Côte d’Ivoire) in H1 2025.

Sub-Saharan Africa continues to be an attractive market for telecommunications groups despite some headwinds

Africa remains appealing to telecom groups because of a combination of a young and rapidly growing population and demand for digital and financial services. Despite positive economic prospects, the groups reported headwinds in the form of currency devaluation and inflation impacting revenue, high and fluctuating energy costs, subdued economic growth affecting demand, and regulatory interventions, such as a reduction in mobile termination rates in Uganda (affecting MTN and Airtel). Tariff adjustments helped some operators, such as Airtel in Nigeria, to accelerate revenue growth to offset the effect of currency devaluation.

For the rest of the article, we analyze the markets by sub-region:

• East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda
• Southern Africa: Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Botswana, and South Africa
• West Africa: Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria

Safaricom significantly outperformed Airtel in both download and upload speeds for 5G and All Technologies

Kenya is a vital market for both Airtel and Vodacom with a thriving digital and financial services ecosystem. According to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), there were 76.2 million mobile subscribers in March 2025, translating into a population penetration rate of 145.3%. Thanks to operator customer win-back campaigns, the number has grown by 4.8 million SIMs since December 2024. The market is advanced in terms of data usage, thanks to the 42.3 million smartphone users. There were 57.1 million mobile data users, out of which the great majority, or 36.3 million, used 4G, while over 1.1 million connected to 5G. The Kenyan market is led by Safaricom (part of Vodacom), which has long maintained its dominant position. Safaricom held a 62.9% share, while Airtel Kenya is the second player, with a market share of 32.7%.

Armed with an extended 4G network and a growing 5G network, Safaricom has shifted its focus from connectivity to enabling digital services. To this end, it announced an investment of US$500 million in AI infrastructure across East Africa over the next three years (2025-2028), with Kenya as the focal market. On the other hand,  Airtel announced in June 2024 that it would invest more than $77 million to deploy 480 new 4G and 5G sites, which will reach 1,000 by the end of the year and increase the population’s coverage from 89% to 94%.

According to Speedtest data, Safaricom’s 4G Availability —the percentage of time users spend connected to 4G — and 5G Availability —the percentage of time users with 5G-capable devices spend connected to 5G only — is slightly lower than that of Airtel. In terms of performance, Safaricom comes out on top by a long shot for median download and upload speeds that are more than 2.4x higher than those of Airtel, at 43 Mbps and 15.11 Mbps, respectively, the highest gap between the two opcos in any reviewed market.

The gap in 5G performance between the two operators is even more pronounced. Safaricom’s median speed reached 183.26 Mbps, and its upload speed attained 27.12 Mbps, around three times the speeds achieved by Airtel in H1 2025.

Vodacom commands a slight lead in median download speed in Tanzania and enjoys a higher 5G Availability than Airtel

Tanzania is a high-growth market with 91.7 million active mobile subscribers as of June 2025 (excluding M2M), according to the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA). Of these, 53.8 million are active mobile data subscribers.  Vodacom controls nearly one-third of mobile subscribers (32.1%), followed by Yas (formerly Tigo) with 28.1%. Airtel is the third largest operator, commanding a 22.4% market share.

Vodacom’s 4G population coverage reached 72.5% in FY 2025. It acquired Smile Communications in early 2024 for around US$28.18 million, giving it access to essential spectrum resources (20MHz of 800MHz and 20MHz of 2600MHz bands), and enabling it to expand its 4G coverage and accelerate the rollout of 5G technology. On the other hand, Airtel Tanzania has actively engaged in government tenders through the Universal Communications Service Access Fund (UCSAF). As a result of these efforts, 81% of the total population in Tanzania is covered by Airtel’s 4G network.

4G is the most popular technology to access the internet as it is used by nearly 24 million users. According to TCRA, 4G population coverage reached 92% in June 2025, supported by 13,736 base stations. On the other hand, 5G remains a niche service as coverage reached 26%, provided by 1,038 base stations. 5G is used by 1.3 million mobile subscribers, representing 2.4% of the mobile data user base and 1.4% of total mobile subscribers. 

Speedtest Intelligence data reveals that both operators have a fairly similar level of 4G Availability, but   Vodacom pulls ahead in terms of 5G Availability, with 26.4% compared to 2.8% for Airtel. This contrast in 5G Availability did not translate into a significant lead for Vodacom in network performance, as Vodacom recorded a median download speed of 21.42 Mbps for all technologies compared to Airtel’s 19.58 Mbps.

In contrast, Airtel comfortably leads in 5G with a median download and upload speeds of 130.35 Mbps and 18.7 Mbps, respectively. By comparison, Vodacom achieved a 5G median download speed of 89.09 Mbps and a median upload speed of 12.11 Mbps.

MTN Uganda is the top performer among the surveyed opcos in East Africa

Uganda’s mobile telecom operator market is dominated by MTN and Airtel. According to the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), there were 44.6 million mobile subscribers as of March 2025, 43.2 million of whom were 90-day active, and 18.4 million were smartphone users. MTN controlled nearly half of the market with 22 million subscribers in 2024 and invested US$110 million in 2024 to improve its network, including nearly 50% expansion of its fiber backhaul network. In addition, it signed an agreement with Airtel Africa to share its infrastructure in Uganda in March 2025. Following this initial agreement, both groups are exploring similar network-sharing opportunities in other markets, including the Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Zambia.

According to Speedtest Intelligence data, 5G Availability reached 59.3% for Airtel and 42.8% for MTN in H1 2025, while 4G Availability for both operators attained around 90%. Despite Airtel’s users likely spending more time on 5G, it underperformed MTN on both median download and upload speeds for all technologies in H1 2025. MTN Uganda is the top performer among the surveyed opcos in East Africa in terms of median download speeds, and ranked fifth overall.

While the speed differential between the two operators for 5G is less significant, MTN leads the surveyed group of operators with a median download speed of 235.22 Mbps, ahead of Airtel’s 160.21 Mbps. MTN also has one of the highest upload speeds, at 27 Mbps.

Orange leads in DRC Congo download speeds, but 5G’s absence disadvantages local operators regionally.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the largest country in SSA by land mass. According to the country’s regulator, Autorité de Régulation de la Poste et des Télécommunications du Congo (ARPTC), there were 63.7 million active mobile subscribers and 33.65 million mobile internet users in Q1 2025. Vodacom leads the market with 36.9% of subscribers. It is closely followed by Airtel, which holds the second position with 29.8% of active subscribers, and Orange, in third with 27.2%. While Vodacom leads in the number of subscribers, Airtel commands the largest share of internet revenues, capturing 41.8% of the segment’s total value, equivalent to US$120 million in Q1 2025. This suggests that Airtel’s subscriber base generates a higher ARPU from data services than its competitors.

Vodacom reported that 4G population coverage was only 39.8% in FY 2025 (ending in March 2025). In 2025, it announced a partnership with Orange to build, own, and operate 2,000 solar-powered rural mobile base stations in the country. Airtel also secured a US$70 million loan from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in March 2025, part of a larger financing arrangement worth US$100 million that includes its operations in Rwanda and DRC. This follows a US$200 million facility approved by the IFC in 2024 to improve mobile connectivity and accelerate the rollout of 4G and 5G.

Data shows that Orange has a slight edge for 4G Availability compared to Airtel and Vodacom, which translates into better median download speeds at 24.22 Mbps in H1 2025. However, Airtel’s customers enjoy better upload speeds than its competitors. When compared to other opcos in the region, the absence of 5G services and relatively limited 4G performance weighed on the ranking of DRC operators, with Airtel and Vodacom trailing at the bottom of the download speed list.

Botswana is a duopoly and a 5G pioneer in Africa, with Mascom and Orange among the best-performing operators in the region

Botswana is a relatively small mobile market with 4.4 million subscribers as of March 2024, according to the Botswana Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA).. According to BOCRA in March 2024, Mascom and Orange split the market roughly equally, with market shares of 43% and 42%, respectively. Botswana has been a 5G pioneer in Africa, with Mascom and Orange launching the service in February and November 2022, respectively. However, there is little recent data on reported 5G coverage – Orange announced population coverage for 5G at launch, while Mascom announced 100 5G sites in 2023.

Based on Speedtest data, Mascom users appear to have much higher 5G Availability than Orange. Mascom also has an edge in terms of median download and upload speeds for All Technologies, at 65.34 Mbps and 18.35 Mbps, respectively. That said, Orange is faring better than expected, with median download and upload speeds of 56.26 Mbps and 13.28 Mbps, respectively. In fact, both operators are among the best-performing ones in our group, only superseded by MTN in South Africa.

Mascom is one of the top-three fastest 5G operators in the list of analyzed operators, with a median download speed of 206.26 Mbps and a median upload speed of 21.45 Mbps. Orange also fared well by regional standards.

MTN South Africa came first for median download speed in the region, while Vodacom secured fourth place among surveyed operators 

South Africa is the continent’s most technologically advanced and competitive telecom market. Despite economic and sociopolitical challenges, the market for data and enterprise services remains attractive. According to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), it had 116.8 million mobile subscribers as of September 2024, 82.7 million of whom were smartphone users. Vodacom leads the market with a 39.1% share of subscribers, followed by MTN with 30.7% at the end of 2024, according to GSMA Intelligence data. 

MTN and other operators introduced 5G services in Q3 2020  with the initial deployment of 100 5G sites using the emergency spectrum granted by the telecom regulator ICASA. The much-anticipated spectrum auction was finally completed in March 2022, with spectrum bands across 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 2.6 GHz, and 3.5 GHz bands awarded. According to ICASA, the population coverage of 5G reached 46.6% at the end of 2024, up from 20.2% in 2022, while that of 4G exceeded 82%.

Vodacom plans to invest around US$1.1 billion during the 2025/2026 financial year to expand its 5G coverage and extend coverage in rural areas as part of its Vision 2030 strategy to bridge the digital divide. MTN also announced a series of investments across different regions, including US$12 million for the Eastern Cape, US$16 million for Gauteng, and US$23 million for KwaZulu-Natal to deploy new base stations, modernize existing sites, and improve battery backup and security.

According to Speedtest data, Vodacom has slightly higher 4G Availability but lower 5G Availability at 94.8% and 37.8%, respectively. However, the two operators demonstrate contrasting network performance. MTN commands a significant lead over Vodacom in both median download and upload speeds at 74.76 Mbps and 13.65 Mbps, respectively. That said, both operators are in the top four of the list of surveyed operators in SSA.

If we consider 5G performance, Vodacom takes the top spot with median download and upload speeds of 174.9 Mbps and 11.86 Mbps, respectively. MTN is following very closely behind, with corresponding speeds of 164.2 Mbps and 21.68 Mbps, respectively. This is linked to the use of a wider channel bandwidth of 80 MHz in the 2600 MHz spectrum band (compared to MTN’s 40 MHz bandwidth in the same band) and 60 MHz in the 3600 MHz band (compared to MTN’s 40 MHz), and its network strategy to prioritize network densification in urban centres.

Orange secured the top spot in Côte d’Ivoire and is the top performer among the surveyed opcos in West Africa

According to the local telecom regulator, Autorité de Regulation des Telecommunications de Côte d’Ivoire (ARTCI), there were 58.7 million mobile subscribers in Côte d’Ivoire at the end of 2024. Orange controls the lion’s share of subscribers, with a 51.8% share, while MTN attracted 27.9% of the user base. 

5G rollout was supposed to coincide with the African Football Championship (CAN) in January 2024, covering Abidjan and several major cities. Orange completed network upgrades in preparation for the launch of 5G in Abidjan and continues to expand fiber and mobile coverage in rural areas. We understand that MTN has not yet launched 5G but confirmed its plan to invest over US$300 million in ‘digital infrastructure’ in Côte d’Ivoire over the next three years (2025–2027). According to Speedtest data, the number of 5G tests peaked in January 2024 at the start of the African Football Championship (CAN) but then subsided, suggesting that 5G services were launched on a trial basis. ARTCI has considered using network sharing to expedite 5G deployment, similar to the model adopted in Malaysia, but there have been no updates on this plan so far in 2025.

According to Speedtest data, Orange is ahead of MTN in terms of 4G Availability at 92.7% and performance, with a median download speed advantage for All Technologies at 35.25 Mbps, while upload speeds are similar. As a result, Orange takes the top spot in download speeds among the reviewed opcos in West Africa.

MTN outperformed Airtel in both download and upload speeds in Nigeria, and is the second fastest 5G operator among surveyed opcos

Nigeria is the largest mobile market in Africa by subscribers, with more than 169.3 million mobile customers in July 2025. According to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), MTN and Airtel continued to dominate the market, with 52.7% and 33.4% market share in July 2025, respectively.

Nigeria faces economic challenges, including currency depreciation, high inflation, and a shortage of hard currency. Operational challenges such as fuel shortages, infrastructure vandalism, and regional unrest also impede infrastructure expansion and maintenance. Amidst these hurdles, MTN Group announced in 2023 its ambition to invest US$3.5 billion in Nigeria over the next five years (2023–2028). It also signed an agreement with Airtel to share network infrastructure in Nigeria to realize efficiencies, increase coverage, and improve the quality of service.

MTN was the first operator to launch 5G in Nigeria, followed by Airtel and ISP Mafab Communications in June and January 2023, respectively. According to the NCC, by July 2025, 5G represented only 3.2% of the total 169.3 million active mobile subscribers.

According to Speedtest Intelligence data, MTN’s 5G Availability reached 15.8% in H1 2025, while that of Airtel was 4.6%, according to Ookla’s data. MTN also had a slight lead in 4G Availability, recording 91.2% compared to Airtel’s 89.9%. MTN’s Availability advantage translated into high median download and upload speeds, more than twice the speeds attained by Airtel. 

While MTN’s median download speed for All Technologies is midway between the best and worst-performing operators on our list of opcos, Airtel (Nigeria) is the second-lowest in the group at 17.44 Mbps, only ahead of Vodacom (DRC). Airtel Nigeria’s median upload speed also trails most other surveyed operators.

The 5G performance gap between the two operators is smaller. MTN still leads with a median download speed of 226.59 Mbps compared to Airtel’s 182.6 Mbps in H1 2025. In fact, MTN Nigeria is the fastest 5G operator among the list of surveyed operators in West Africa based on median download speed. 

In conclusion, the telecommunications landscape in SSA is characterized by significant regional disparities and competitive dynamics among major groups. MTN continues to dominate in terms of median download speeds across multiple countries, showcasing its robust infrastructure and investment in network expansion. Vodacom, while leading in subscriber numbers in certain markets, faces challenges in speed performance, particularly in regions lacking 5G services. The ongoing investments by these operators, particularly in 4G and 5G infrastructure, should help them meet the growing demand for digital services, while the quality of connectivity should give them a competitive edge to grow their market shares and monetize their investments.

Despite facing economic headwinds, the potential for growth remains strong, driven by a youthful population and increasing smartphone penetration. As these telecom groups navigate the complexities of their markets, their strategies will be crucial in shaping the future of telecommunications in the region.

We will continue to monitor mobile networks’ performance across Africa, benchmark countries, and operators, and explore how various factors affect it. For more information about Speedtest Intelligence data and insights, please contact us.