Nigeria’s burgeoning telecommunications landscape has propelled the West African tech economy to new heights, with the region’s telecoms sector now valued at $63.1 trillion. This significant revenue surge is largely driven by the rapid growth in Fintech, E-commerce, and digital marketplaces, which collectively contribute 80% of the sector’s annual growth. Additionally, the digital economy injects $30 billion annually into the region’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
According to the West African Telecom Regulatory Association (WATRA), these impressive statistics underscore the region’s flourishing telecom industry. WATRA, an organization comprising telecom regulators from West Africa, aims to enhance telecom service delivery across the region through collaborative efforts.
As of 2024, West Africa boasts over 400 million telecom subscribers, with a mobile penetration growth rate of 21% and internet subscriptions exceeding 90%. From a 21% increase in 2019, mobile penetration skyrocketed to 60% in 2023, driven by substantial telecom investments and infrastructure developments, particularly in Nigeria.
The telecom sector now contributes 77% to the region’s GDP. The rollout of 5G technology in Nigeria, Ghana, and other West African countries has been a key driver of this growth. To sustain and amplify this progress, WATRA has initiated several integrated regulatory policies aimed at deepening growth, broadening infrastructure, and expanding the regional marketplace.
WATRA’s Executive Secretary, Aliyu Aboki, emphasized the association’s commitment to enhancing connectivity and reducing costs associated with the region’s submarine cables. “We are working collectively to improve interconnectivity among infrastructure companies, ensuring that data remains within West Africa rather than being routed through Europe,” Aboki stated. “This will help reduce costs and improve efficiency by hosting more West African data in local data centers.”
WATRA’s priorities include increasing regional connectivity, lowering data costs, and enhancing access to the spectrum. As the umbrella body for all telecom regulatory authorities in West Africa, WATRA has facilitated significant achievements by individual regulatory bodies through support and collaboration. This has led to increased telecom investments, enhanced competition, and streamlined regulatory processes, significantly contributing to the growth of the region’s digital economy.
Through these collective efforts, WATRA continues to add value, ensuring that West Africa’s telecom sector remains a pivotal force in driving economic growth and technological advancement across the region.
