Africa’s smartphone market had a strong 2025, even as global growth remained uneven. New data from Omdia shows the continent shipped 84.4 million smartphones last year, up 13% year-over-year, the fastest pace of recovery since 2021.

Growth accelerated toward the end of the year. Q4 shipments rose 14% to 23.1 million units, helped by expanded financing programs, improved currency stability in key markets, wider 4G rollout, and early 5G adoption in countries like South Africa and Egypt. Holiday promotions and aggressive pricing also played a role.

Smartphones now make up roughly 55% of total mobile phone shipments in Africa, highlighting the steady shift away from feature phones. Sub-Saharan Africa continued to outpace North Africa, acting as the main growth engine.

At the country level, South Africa led with 38% growth, driven largely by prepaid demand and strong uptake of sub-$100 devices. Nigeria followed with 25% growth, fueled by affordable 4G smartphones dominating the sub-$200 segment. Egypt grew 22%, supported by local manufacturing and value-focused portfolios. Kenya saw modest 3% growth amid cost pressures, while Morocco dipped 3% due to higher import tariffs.

Transsion — through TECNO, Infinix, and itel — maintained a commanding 48% market share for the year, shipping over 40.5 million units. However, its Q4 share slipped slightly as competition intensified in the entry-level tier. Samsung held second place, posting 27% Q4 growth thanks to the Galaxy A series and a broader mid-range portfolio. Xiaomi, Honor, and Oppo also recorded solid gains, particularly in expanding 4G and mid-range segments.

Still, challenges loom. Entry-level devices below $200 accounted for 81% of shipments in 2025, leaving vendors exposed to rising component costs. Average selling prices rose 11% in Q4 as consumers gradually shifted toward better-specced models.

Looking ahead, Omdia expects shipments to decline 23% in 2026 due to inflation and tighter channel inventory management. For now, though, 2025 stands out as a year of resilience and strong momentum for Africa’s smartphone market.

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(Via)

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