Telecom
Worldwide Mobile Data Traffic Growth Doubles in Two Years
Mobile data traffic in Sub-Saharan Africa, like the rest of the world will maintain an upward trajectory, as mobile broadband-capable devices become more accessible. For markets like SA and Kenya, the conclusion of high-demand radio frequency spectrum allocations will lead the rise of data traffic, according to the 2022 Ericsson Mobility Report.
While traffic growth is often considered “highly volatile” between years, the 22nd edition of the Ericsson report reveals global mobile network data traffic doubled in the past two years.
This growth, notes the report, was driven by increased smartphone and mobile broadband usage, as well as the digitalisation of society and industries.
Furthermore, it highlights the strong demand data connectivity and digital services have, and are expected to have, despite the global COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical uncertainties.
Based on the report’s findings, mobile network data traffic grew 40% between the first quarter (Q1) of 2021 and Q1 of 2022.
“The quarter-on-quarter mobile network data traffic growth between Q4 2021 and Q1 2022 was around 10%. Total monthly global mobile network data traffic reached around 93EB, meaning it has doubled in just two years since Q1 2020.
“Over the long-term, traffic growth is driven by both the rising number of smartphone subscriptions and an increasing average data volume per subscription, fuelled primarily by increased viewing of video content.”
Fredrik Jejdling, executive VP and head of networks at Ericsson, adds: “Continuous network modernisation and coverage build-out has led to several hundred million people becoming new mobile broadband subscribers every year.”
Turning to data traffic in Sub-Saharan Africa, the report notes increasingly affordable price plans and service provider subsidies in some parts of the region will help the upward trajectory.
South Africa and Kenya’s spectrum allocations will enable service providers to extend their coverage and capacity of 3G/4G networks, it states.
“3G mobile data traffic is still increasing, but most of the traffic growth is expected to be in the 4G networks. The average data traffic per smartphone is expected to reach 11GB per month over the forecast period.”
The report projects that total global mobile data traffic will grow around 4.2% to reach 282EB per month in 2027.
The traffic growth up to 2027 includes an assumption that an initial uptake of XR-type services, including augmented reality, virtual reality and mixed reality, will happen in the latter part of the forecast period.
“If adoption is stronger than expected, data traffic could increase even more than currently anticipated towards the end of the forecast period.
“Currently, video traffic is estimated to account for 69% of all mobile data traffic, a share that is forecast to increase to 79% in 2027.
“Populous markets that launch 5G early are likely to lead traffic growth over the forecast period. 5G’s share of mobile data traffic was around 10% in 2021, and this share is forecast to grow to 60% in 2027.”
More growth projections
Ericsson predicts the number of fixed wireless access (FWA) connections will exceed 100 million in 2022, reaching almost 230 million by 2027.
Of these 230 million, the number of 5G FWA connections is expected to grow to around 110 million by 2027, representing almost half of the total FWA connections, it reveals.
FWA is a connection that provides primary broadband access through mobile network-enabled customer premises equipment.
According to the Ericsson report, more than 75% of service providers surveyed in over 100 countries are offering FWA services.
“Out of 311 service providers studied, 238 had an FWA offering, representing an average of 77% globally. Service providers’ adoption of FWA offerings has more than doubled in the last three years.”
Ericsson has determined that FWA will play an increasingly important role in the delivery of broadband services across the globe.
At the end of 2021, there were around 8.2 billion mobile subscriptions, according to Ericsson.
Therefore, it projects the figure will increase to around 9.1 billion by the end of 2027. “During the same time, the share of mobile broadband subscriptions will increase from 84% to 93%.”
It’s also anticipated that the number of unique mobile subscribers will grow from 6.1 billion at the end of 2021 to 6.7 billion by the end of the forecast period.
Subscriptions associated with smartphones continue to rise, indicates the report.
At the end of 2021, there were 6.3 billion, accounting for about 77% of all mobile phone subscriptions. This is forecast to reach 7.8 billion in 2027, accounting for around 87% of all mobile subscriptions at that time.
On the other hand, subscriptions for fixed broadband are expected to grow around 4%, with FWA connections anticipated to show strong growth of 17% annually through 2027.
Subscriptions for mobile PCs and tablets are expected to show moderate growth, reaching around 540 million in 2027, it concludes.
In a strategic move to deepen its presence in emerging economies, global cryptocurrency exchange MEXC has launched peer-to-peer (P2P) trading support for three new fiat currencies — the Nigerian Naira (NGN), Ethiopian Birr (ETB), and Pakistani Rupee (PKR). This expansion reflects the company’s increasing focus on localising crypto access in high-growth, underbanked regions.
The addition of NGN, ETB, and PKR to MEXC’s P2P platform enables users in Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Pakistan to trade major cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Tether (USDT), and USD Coin (USDC) directly with their local currencies.
The trades come with zero transaction fees, in line with MEXC’s strategy to lower entry barriers for users and encourage grassroots participation in the digital asset economy.
The update is more than a technical expansion — it underscores MEXC’s recognition of Africa and South Asia as rising crypto frontiers. Nigeria, often cited as one of the world’s fastest-growing crypto markets, and Ethiopia, where digital finance is beginning to surge amid reforms, represent key territories for crypto adoption. Similarly, Pakistan’s growing youth population and fintech appetite offer strong potential for crypto-enabled financial inclusion.
To support the rollout, MEXC is actively onboarding new merchants to its P2P platform. Merchants benefit from zero transaction fees, dedicated customer support, a special verification badge, and invitations to exclusive community events. The goal is to nurture a local network of verified sellers and buyers who can facilitate seamless and trusted crypto trades.
P2P trading — which allows users to transact directly without third-party intermediaries — is especially relevant in markets where banking infrastructure is either insufficient or heavily regulated. By bypassing traditional systems, P2P provides a lifeline for users seeking stablecoins, alternative stores of value, or more flexible remittance solutions.
This latest expansion signals MEXC’s intent to compete aggressively for market share in underserved territories while enabling more users to access and benefit from Web3 technologies. As global exchanges race to localise their services, MEXC’s early moves into fiat integration may prove pivotal in shaping the next wave of crypto adoption across the Global South.
At the recently concluded NextNow Business Forum in Victoria Island, MTN Nigeria electrified the business community with a live demonstration of its forthcoming Communication Platform as a Service (CPaaS), a solution engineered to redefine how Nigerian enterprises connect with their customers.
Unlike traditional communication systems, MTN’s CPaaS is built for the realities of a mobile-first market. The platform unifies SMS, voice, WhatsApp, email, and more into a single, intuitive interface. This approach is especially significant in Nigeria, with over 107 million internet users, 45.4% of the total population, according to Data Report. This figure underscores the necessity for businesses to meet customers where they are.
During the demo, attendees witnessed how CPaaS enables two-way, real-time conversations between brands and customers. The platform’s support for rich media, instant analytics, and seamless integration with business workflows drew particular attention. These features are designed to empower businesses with data-driven insights and the agility to personalise every interaction, whether it’s a service notification, marketing campaign, or customer support exchange.
Akinbulejo Onabolu, Head of Enterprise Segment at MTN Nigeria, articulated the vision: “CPaaS gives enterprises the flexibility to interact with their customers on their preferred platforms; whether it’s chat, voice, or messaging, in a way that feels personal and immediate. We’re looking forward to the value this will unlock for businesses across industries once it launches.”
The fireside chat added depth to the conversation, with Omowunmi Olatunbosun, Head of SME Segment at MTN Nigeria, and Stephen Agbi of Bayobab, highlighting how digital engagement bridges the gap between businesses and audiences.
They emphasised that today’s consumers demand immediacy, relevance, and ease, qualities that CPaaS is built to deliver.
The stakes for digital transformation in Nigeria are high. In a report by Punch, the country’s enterprise tech market is projected to reach $22 billion by 2027, reflecting a surge in demand for scalable, cloud-based solutions that drive efficiency and customer loyalty.
The CPAAS Acceleration Alliance have estimated that globally, the CPaaS market is expected to grow from $14.7 billion in 2025 to $72.4 billion by 2035, at a compound annual growth rate of 18.4%, a testament to the platform’s transformative potential.
The event’s closing keynote from META’s Korhan Yunak reinforced the strategic value of digital channels like WhatsApp, which are now indispensable for business communication and engagement at scale.
As MTN Nigeria prepares for the Q3 2025 launch, the anticipation is unmistakable. With its promise of flexibility, intelligence, and seamless integration, MTN’s CPaaS platform is set to become the backbone of next-generation business-customer engagement in Nigeria, enabling enterprises to not just communicate but to connect, adapt, and grow in a digital-first era.
MTN Uganda is seeking input from stakeholders on a plan to structurally separate its mobile money service, MoMo, from its core telecoms business.
According to the company, the proposed change will be discussed at the upcoming extraordinary general meeting on July 2.
If approved, the telco’s fintech business will be run by a new company controlled by MTN Group Fintech Holdings B.V. and a trust benefiting minority shareholders following a merger.
Additionally, the restructuring also aligns with MTN Group’s ambition 2025 strategy which aims to unlock value, attract new investors, and strengthen regulatory compliance by creating standalone fintech entities in Uganda, Ghana, and Nigeria.
The company’s fintech division has over 13 million customers, with an 18.4% revenue increase in the first quarter of 2025, driven by 19.0% growth in mobile money services, 19.8% growth in transaction volumes, and a 31.4% increase in transaction value.
Reports say the decision is part of the telco’s compliance with the National Payment Systems Act 2020, which mandates mobile money businesses to operate as standalone entities, and to align with MTN Group’s regional fintech strategy.
MTN Uganda, which is led by CEO Sylvia Mulinge, highlighted that the implementation of the proposed transaction will be subjected to a number of conditions and regulatory procedures.
“The implementation of the proposed transaction shall be subject to a number of conditions, including the company and MTN MoMo receiving all required regulatory approvals and no-objections and complying with any regulatory conditions,” said MTN Uganda in notice.
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