In 2024, the mobile phone market grew by just 3%, reaching 26.4 million subscribers — the smallest increase since 2020, when the market was heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to INACOM’s 2024 statistical reports, this slower growth over the past 12 months indicates that the market is reaching a mature phase, meaning it is now well-established and has less room for rapid expansion.
Between 2020 and 2023, the market grew at an average annual rate of 22%, peaking in 2022 when the launch of a new operator, Africell, stimulated the sector. That year, the market grew 55%, reaching 23.7 million active SIM cards.
In 2023, Africell’s expansion beyond Luanda into other provinces led to a more moderate growth of 8.5%, bringing the total to 25.7 million subscribers. As a result, the mobile penetration rate remained stable at around 75%, the same as in 2023 — still below the African average of 83% and the global average of 103%, according to Statista, a German digital market data platform.
Market Share
- Unitel remains the market leader with 73% share and over 19.3 million subscribers, though it saw a 1 percentage point decline from 2023.
- Africell, in second place, increased its market share to 25%, reaching over 6.6 million subscribers.
- Movicel, now limited to just 2% of the market, continued its “slow death”, losing another 2 percentage points in 2024. The company operates in only three provinces: Luanda, Benguela, and Huíla.
Mobile Internet
The mobile internet segment grew 13.5%, reaching 12.6 million subscribers, largely driven by the 79.3% surge in non-mobile devices connected to the network, now totaling 3.12 million. In contrast, mobile phones with internet saw minimal growth of just 1.4%, reaching 9.52 million.
The mobile internet penetration rate reached 36 per 100 inhabitants, an increase of 4 percentage points compared to 2023. This growth is linked to improved network coverage and the introduction of more attractive and affordable data plans, according to INACOM.
Source: Expansão
