- Ericsson joins forces with telecom operators to drive fintech and FWA growth, expanding access to millions in Sub-Saharan Africa, including countries like Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.
- The integration of digital services is poised to make mobile broadband services more affordable and accessible to underserved populations in these nations.
What happened: Ericsson’s FWA boosts connectivity in Africa’s key markets
Ericsson has announced an initiative aimed at advancing telecom connectivity in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in countries like Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, by leveraging fintech and fixed wireless access (FWA). This partnership aligns with the growing trend of integrating mobile banking and internet access, which is a crucial development for regions where traditional infrastructure is limited.
The telecom landscape in Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing a remarkable transformation, propelled by a youthful population, affordable smartphones, and a growing appetite for digital services. According to the June 2025 Ericsson Mobility Report, 5G subscriptions are projected to soar to approximately 400 million by 2030, accounting for 40% of mobile subscriptions. Meanwhile, 2G and 3G networks are expected to decline by 5% and 10% annually, respectively, as 4G and 5G take precedence. Service providers are diversifying their portfolios, with a strong emphasis on mobile money services and Fixed Wireless Access (FWA). FWA, leveraging 5G’s low latency and high speeds, is proving vital in areas where traditional wired infrastructure is impractical, with projections indicating it will account for over 35% of new fixed broadband connections globally by 2030.
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Why it’s important
The significance of this move cannot be overstated, as Sub-Saharan Africa faces some of the lowest internet penetration rates globally. According to Ericsson, around 75% of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa, including nations like Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, still lacks reliable access to high-speed internet. With the continent’s mobile phone adoption soaring, fintech is already a driving force in many economies. By pairing this with FWA, Ericsson and its partners aim to bridge the digital divide, creating new economic opportunities and enhancing daily life.
Access to reliable internet services can help improve education, healthcare, and financial inclusion—key factors for social development in countries like Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. Moreover, by combining cutting-edge digital technology with cost-effective infrastructure, this initiative provides a scalable model that could be replicated in other underserved regions.
Ericsson’s commitment to expanding telecom services in these areas underlines the company’s broader strategy to empower underserved communities by improving connectivity and digital service availability.
