The strong momentum of information and communication technology giant Ericsson’s growing footprint in sub-Saharan Africa is reflecting the rapid growth of mobile connectivity across the region.

The group has secured a series of contracts in Kenya, South Africa, Madagascar and Benin, besides others, as communications service providers move to strengthen their networks and meet growing consumer demand for enhanced mobile services.

“Forward-thinking communications service providers are already securing their role in this dynamic market,” says Ericsson Middle East and Africa president Fadi Pharaon, highlighting the twelvefold mobile data traffic growth that the latest ‘Ericsson Mobility Report’ forecast in sub-Saharan Africa by 2025.

The latest data shows that Africa remains one of the fastest-growing mobile markets, with a need for a more efficient technology, lower data rates and availability of spectrum.

The ‘Ericsson Mobility Report’ indicates that mobile broadband subscriptions are expected to account for 72% of all mobile subscriptions in 2025, with long-term evolution subscriptions estimated to triple to over 270-million.

“Technology brings an unprecedented opportunity to address the challenges of sustainable economic development and improve the livelihood of people in Africa,” Pharaon says.

Ericsson’s agreement with MTN Benin was extended early in 2020, for the provision of managed services, including a network operations centre, field services in radio, core and transmission, in Benin.

“Under the agreement, the future capabilities of efficiencies, automation and data will enable MTN Benin and Ericsson to jointly create a world of predictive operations with focus on customer experience, network quality, performance and automation.”

Telma Madagascar switched on its Ericsson-powered fifth-generation (5G) commercial network in June to offer subscribers high-speed connectivity services.

MTN South Africa selected Ericsson as a vendor in 2019 to deploy products and solutions spanning its radio access network Ericsson Radio System, transport and 5G core network portfolios, besides others.

Further, in October this year, Airtel Africa expanded its strategic partnership with Ericsson to enable fourth-generation (4G) coverage in Kenya through Ericsson’s radio access network and packet core products for 4G; Airtel subscribers will experience enhanced quality of voice and data.

The network modernisation deal, signed in August, is in line with the Kenyan Digital Economy Blueprint Vision 2030, which aims to provide robust connectivity in rural areas and facilitate e-commerce platforms.