Mobile Phone Usage in Africa

Where paved roads and electricity failure for reliable connections, mobile phones are slimming down the communication gap in Africa. Land lines hardly exist in African countries, but as of December 2014, 89 percent of adults in Africa own a cell phone. This percentage has increased by 46 percent since 2002. This increase of mobile phone usage in Africa is changing lives in more than just making phone calls.

Communication

Compared to the US, Africa is still trying to catch up for mobile phone networks. They skipped landline development entirely and moved their focus directly to cellphones. With the expansion of mobile networks, Africa is no longer limited in phone communications, despite their lack of landlines. The combination of calling services like VIP Communications and mobile networks have allowed Africans to connect both internationally and locally with simple, cost-effective calling solutions.

Most Common Mobile Phone Activities

Next to making calls; texting, pictures, and videos are the most common mobile phone activity. 53 percent of African mobile users are taking pictures and videos, while 80 percent are sending text messages. 36 percent are instant messaging.

Mobile Entertainment Opportunities

In 2015, a mobile Africa study was done and found that internet browsing in Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda and Ghana are up 40 percent. Mobile phones are luxuries in the African homes since many do not have TVs, computers or other entertainment luxuries.

One of the top options for entertainment is downloading apps. South Africa holds the highest number of app downloads at 34 percent. In second is Ghana at 31 percent, followed by Nigeria at 28 percent. Among downloading apps, 32 percent play games and 41 percent listen to the radio.

Mobile Business Transaction

In Africa, business transactions such as banking were limited. Since the arrival of mobile phones, many doors have opened allowing more business transactions with 30 percent of African mobile users now making and receiving payments. In the country of Kenya alone, 61 percent use mobile phones for doing payment transactions. While 42 percent in Uganda and 39 percent in Tanzania.

Social Media Activity

Connecting to social media from mobile devices has allowed Africans to maintain communications, with 19 percent using social networks. If we combine social media activity with other internet usage, 21 percent of Africans are using their cell phones to get political news, while 17 are searching for health information, 14 percent are applying for jobs, and another 14 percent are finding consumer information.

Mobile phone usage in Africa has introduced many opportunities where they were once limited. While mobile phones remain the highest among richer regions in Africa, the surge of mobile usage decreases the isolation of communication in numerous ways of life. Africans will continue to benefit from global communication experience as the mobile broadband continues to expand.