How 5G Will Drive Africa’s Digital Transformation in 2025

By Zachary Ochieng

As Africa continues to push forward its digital economy, the rollout of 5G technology seems to be a decisive advantage. This is particular for countries like Kenya, where innovation and connectivity are important instruments in socio-economic development. Offering the potential of higher speeds, lower latency, and more connections to devices. 5G can help revolutionise industries including agriculture, healthcare, education, and smart cities whilst overcoming the digital divide.

For Sub-Saharan Africa, the number of connections to 5G networks will reach 35 million or 3% of the total mobile connections in 2025, according to GSMA. This is especially and being spearheaded by Kenya, as a technology hub. In 2021, Safaricom rolled out the first 5G network in Kenya. They provided a foundation for businesses and consumers to explore its possibilities. The growth of these networks in 2025 will inject further momentum into Africa’s digital revolution process.

Because of infrastructure and the high cost of technology at the start, adoption rates have been slow. Despite this, the foundation has been established. Nairobi and Mombasa, among other cities and urban centres, are beginning to see pilot projects that showcase the potential of 5G. Analyzing the investments, the year 2025 will also be a pivotal point in terms of coverage and adoption, which will steer opportunities in every sector.

5G
Zachary Ochieng is a tech PR enthusiast and a former Managing Editor of CIO Africa at DX5
Growth and Innovation Enabler

Most African countries largely depend on agriculture. Over 60% of the population relying on agriculture as a source of income. With 5G’s low latency and high-speed connectivity, precision farming can become a reality. It will enable farmers to optimize resources and improve yields.

Due to the 5G’s low latency and high speed in its connection; farmers will be able to get down to Precision farming. For instance, smart sensors mounted in IoT that are associated with 5G technology. They can capture the moisture content of the soils, nutrients, and other weather factors in real time. Additionally, drones equipped with cameras and sensors can assess crop health, identify pest infestations, and reduce reliance on manual labour.

In Kenya where agriculture contributes to 33% of the GDP such startups like Twiga Foods which deals with the technological distribution of agricultural produce could gain from 5G in increasing efficiency and minimizing post-harvest losses.

Telemedicine has been a buzzword for years, but the advent of 5G can unlock its full potential. The technology’s high bandwidth and reliability can support real-time consultations, remote surgeries, and AI-driven diagnostics. In Kenya, where access to quality healthcare in rural areas remains a significant challenge, 5G could connect remote clinics to urban hospitals. Doctors can perform remote diagnoses using high-definition video feeds and augmented reality tools.

Moreover, 5G can facilitate mobile health applications, enabling community health workers to use portable diagnostic devices for screenings and immediate consultations. For instance, portable ultrasound devices connected via 5G could allow healthcare professionals to provide maternal care in underserved regions, reducing infant and maternal mortality rates.

The COVID-19 crisis highlighted how valuable it is to have a good online education platform as schools shifted online. However, by using 5G, e-learning can go beyond the most basic form of lecturing through video calls and integrate other digital experiences such as Augmented Reality [AR] and Virtual Reality [VR]. These tools can facilitate the generation of interactive lessons, actively making learning fun and socially engaging for students. For example, when studying subjects like history or science, students can be virtually guided through historical sites or experiments, enhancing their learning experience. Schools connected with the 5G also could organise teacher training programmes and collaborate with other teachers worldwide.

As urbanization accelerates, the need for smart city solutions becomes more pressing. With 5G, cities can deploy IoT devices to improve infrastructure and public services. For instance, Nairobi could use 5G-enabled smart traffic systems to manage congestion through real-time data analytics and adaptive traffic lights. Similarly, AI-driven surveillance systems could enhance public safety, while smart grids could optimize energy usage and reduce power outages.

Overcoming Challenges

Despite its potential, the 5G rollout in Africa faces numerous challenges. High deployment costs remain a significant barrier. Building the infrastructure required for 5G, including base stations and fiber optic networks, is capital-intensive. Additionally, affordability is a concern for many consumers, as 5G-enabled devices and data plans are more expensive than their 4G counterparts.

Regulatory hurdles also present challenges. Policymakers must streamline spectrum allocation to encourage private-sector investment. Moreover, governments must ensure policies support equitable access to 5G, preventing rural areas from being left behind.

Another challenge is digital literacy. While 5G may bring advanced technologies, its benefits will be limited if people lack the skills to use them. Investments in digital education and capacity building are essential to ensure that communities can fully leverage 5G

Leveraging Partnerships

Collaboration between governments, telecom operators, and technology providers is critical to overcoming these challenges. In Kenya, partnerships between Safaricom, Huawei, and the government have already demonstrated the potential for successful 5G rollouts. Public-private partnerships can drive innovation, while subsidies or financing programs can make 5G services more affordable.

Development organizations and international bodies also have a role to play. By providing funding and technical expertise, they can accelerate the deployment of 5G infrastructure in underserved areas.

These efforts should include local startups and innovators to create solutions that address specific African challenges.

As Africa embraces 5G, the continent has an unprecedented opportunity to leapfrog traditional development barriers. For Kenya, a country already dubbed the “Silicon Savannah,” 5G represents more than just faster internet. It is the backbone of a digital ecosystem that can enhance productivity, create jobs, and improve living standards.

To realize this vision, stakeholders must address challenges collaboratively, ensuring that the benefits of 5G are inclusive and far-reaching. With the right investments and policies, Africa’s 5G journey can become a global model for digital transformation.

Zachary Ochieng is a tech PR enthusiast and a former Managing Editor of CIO Africa at DX5

Related Posts
Total
0
Share