Top 10 Largest Telecom Companies in Africa

Top 10 Largest Telecom Companies in Africa

The largest telecom companies on the continent significantly influence the economy, offering services ranging from mobile and broadband to financial services.

Here are some of the key players in Africa’s telecom industry:

MTN Group (South Africa)

• Founding Date: 1994
• Headquarters: Johannesburg, South Africa.
• Market Reach: MTN operates in over 20 countries, including Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Uganda, Cameroon, & Ivory Coast.
• Number of Subscribers: 285 million subscribers across its network in 21 countries, making it the largest telecom operator in Africa by subscriber base.
• Website: MTN Group
• Key Divisions & Services:
  • Voice and Data: MTN provides mobile voice and data services, including high-speed 3G & 4G services, and has launched 5G in several countries.
  • Mobile Financial Services: MTN Mobile Money allows users to make financial transactions, pay bills, and transfer money using mobile devices.
  • Enterprise Solutions: Services for businesses, including cloud computing, cybersecurity, and IoT solutions.

Based in South Africa, MTN Group is the largest telecom company in Africa. The company offers telecommunications services not only in Africa but also in many European and Asian countries. MTN’s largest market is Nigeria, which accounts for a substantial portion of its subscriber base and a third of its overall revenue. Thus, it is estimated that MTN has around 80 million subscribers in Nigeria. Also, MTN has been a pioneer in 5G in Africa, launching in South Africa, Nigeria, and other markets. 5G enables faster data speeds, improved connectivity, and digital & enterprise services. However, operating in multiple countries in Africa and the Middle East exposes the largest telecom company to many risks. These risks include currency devaluation, inflation, and political instability. Furthermore, it competes intensely with key rivals like Vodacom, Airtel, and Orange Africa.

Vodacom Group (South Africa)

• Founding Date: 1994
• Headquarters: Johannesburg, South Africa
• Market Reach: South Africa, Tanzania, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Lesotho.
• Number of Subscribers: 200 million subscribers across Africa
• Website: Vodacom Group
• Key Divisions & Services:
  • Mobile Voice and Data: Vodacom provides 2G, 3G, and 4G services and has started rolling out 5G in South Africa.
  • Mobile Financial Services (M-Pesa): Vodacom’s M-Pesa platform, established in collaboration with Safaricom, is widely used for payments and money transfers in Tanzania, the DRC, and Mozambique.
  • Digital & Enterprise Solutions: Vodacom provides digital solutions, including IoT, cloud computing, and security services to businesses and governments in Africa

With about 200 million subscribers, Vodacom is one of the largest telecom companies in Africa. It provides telecommunications services in about 32 countries, including South Africa, Tanzania, Mozambique, DRC, and Lesotho. Owned partly (65.1%) by the British Vodafone Group, the company offers mobile phone technology and internet connectivity services. Also, South Africa is Vodacom’s largest home market and revenue generator, serving over 45 million subscribers. In addition, Vodacom has launched 5G in parts of South Africa. It plans to extend the service to other markets as demand for high-speed internet grows. However, like MTN Group, Vodacom faces substantial regulatory challenges, including data privacy laws and network requirements, especially in South Africa. Furthermore, operating in numerous countries exposes Vodacom to currency fluctuations and economic instability, impacting revenue and profitability.

Airtel Africa

• Founding Date: India, founded in 1995
• Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya
• Market Reach: 14 African countries
  • West Africa: Nigeria, Chad, Ghana, and Niger.
  • East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda.
  • Central Africa: DRC, Congo-Brazzaville, and Gabon.
• Number of Subscribers: 155 million subscribers in Africa
• Website: Airtel Africa
• Key Divisions & Services:
  • Voice & Data Services: Airtel Africa provides standard telecom services (voice calls, SMS) and mobile internet (3G and 4G) across most markets, with 5G plans underway.
  • Mobile Financial Services (Airtel Money): Airtel Money operates in 14 African countries and has 30 million users. It allows users to make payments, transfer money, and access financial services.
  • Enterprise Solutions: Airtel Africa offers corporate solutions for industries, such as cloud storage, data hosting, and IoT services.
  • Digital Content: Airtel has a growing portfolio of digital content services, like music streaming, gaming, and video-on-demand for Africa.

With about 155 million subscribers, Airtel Africa is one of the largest telecom companies in Africa. It provides telecommunications services in about 14 countries. Bharti Airtel, based in India, is the parent company of Airtel Africa. Also, Nigeria is Airtel Africa’s largest home market and largest revenue-generating market, serving over 62 million subscribers. In addition, Airtel Africa has started 5G trials in select markets, especially in Nigeria. The company went public in 2019, listing on the London Stock Exchange.

Orange Africa

• Founding Date: established in 1988 and began expanding into Africa in the early 2000s
• Headquarters: Casablanca, Morocco (regional office for Orange Middle East and Africa)
• Market Reach: 17 African countries
  • West Africa: Ivory Coast, Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Senegal.
  • North Africa: Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt.
  • Central and East Africa: DRC, Cameroon, and Madagascar.
• Number of Subscribers: 149 million subscribers in Africa
• Website: Orange Africa
• Key Divisions & Services:
  • Voice & Data Services: Orange provides 2G, 3G, and 4G networks across African markets and is rolling out 5G networks to support high-speed connectivity.
  • Mobile Financial Services: Orange’s new innovation, Orange Money, offers mobile payments, money transfers, and financial products in 18 African countries. With over 60 million users, Orange Money is a significant player in Africa’s mobile money landscape, supporting personal and business transactions.
  • Enterprise Solutions: Orange Business Services provides industries with services such as cloud computing, cybersecurity, IoT (Internet of Things), and data analytics.
  • Digital and Social Impact Services: Orange has developed several digital platforms to support health (telemedicine), education (e-learning), and others across Africa.

Orange Africa is among the largest telecom companies operating in 18 countries in Africa & the Middle East, mainly in Africa. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of services, including mobile voice, data, and mobile money. It is also rolling out 5G in select African markets to meet the demand for high-speed connectivity and support sectors like healthcare, finance, and entertainment. In addition, the company has Orange Digital Centres. These centres in multiple African countries provide training and support for entrepreneurship and digital skills development. These include coding classes, business incubation, and others. However, the telecom company faces regulatory challenges and intense competition from MTN and Vodacom.

Maroc Telecom

• Founding Date: 1999
• Headquarters: Rabat, Morocco
• Market Reach:
  • North Africa: Morocco
  • West Africa: Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Niger, and Benin.
  • Central Africa: Gabon, Chad, and the Central African Republic.
• Number of Subscribers: 79.7 million subscribers in Africa
• Website: Maroc Telecom
• Key Divisions & Services:
  • Mobile and Fixed-Line Services: Maroc Telecom offers mobile services (2G, 3G, 4G) and extensive fixed-line services in Morocco. It also offers prepaid and postpaid options, catering to a broad customer base.
  • Internet and Broadband: Maroc Telecom offers broadband internet services, including ADSL, fibre-optic, and 4G/4G+.
  • Enterprise Solutions: Maroc Telecom provides business solutions, such as cloud storage, data hosting, and cybersecurity, for industries and governments.
  • Digital Services: The company offers digital products, such as video-on-demand, online gaming, and music streaming.

Maroc Telecom is among the largest telecom companies operating in North, West & Central Africa. The UAE-based Etisalat Group (e&) primarily owns the company, with the Moroccan government retaining a minority stake. Established in 1999, the company provides a comprehensive range of services, including mobile, fixed-line, internet, and broadband for individual and business customers. In the future, it will also roll out 5G in select African markets to meet the demand for high-speed connectivity and support sectors like healthcare, finance, and entertainment.

Ethio Telecom

• Founding Date: 2010
• Headquarters: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• Market Reach: Ethiopia
• Number of Subscribers: 78 million
• Website:
• Key Divisions & Services:
  • Mobile Voice & Data: Ethio Telecom offers mobile voice services with extensive coverage throughout Ethiopia. Therefore, it provides 2G, 3G, and 4G LTE networks, with plans to expand 5G services.
  • Fixed-Line Services: Ethio Telecom offers fixed-line telephone services to families and businesses.
  • Internet and Broadband: The company provides high-speed internet options, including DSL, fibre-optic, and mobile broadband services for residential and commercial users.
  • Telebirr (Mobile Money): Launched in 2021, Telebirr is Ethio Telecom’s mobile money platform, enabling users to perform digital financial transactions.
  • Value-Added Services: Ethio Telecom also provides various services like SMS, call forwarding, and international roaming.

Ethio Telecom is Ethiopia’s primary telecom company and one of the largest telecom companies in Africa by subscriber base. Headquartered in Addis Ababa, the company operates a wide range of telecom services, including mobile voice, data, broadband internet, and fixed-line services. One of Ethio Telecom’s landmark services is Telebirr, a mobile money platform launched in 2021 that has become a vital tool for mobile banking and digital payment options for millions across Ethiopia.

Safaricom

• Founding Date: 2003
• Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya
• Market Reach: Primarily Kenya, but expanding to Ethiopia
• Number of Subscribers: Roughly 49 million subscribers in Africa
• Website: Safaricom
• Key Divisions & Services:
  • Mobile and Data Services: Safaricom offers 2G, 3G, and 4G LTE and is piloting 5G services. It also provides voice calls, SMS, and high-speed internet, covering both urban and rural areas.
  • M-Pesa Mobile Money: Launched in 2007, M-Pesa allows users to send, receive, and store money, pay bills, and purchase without needing a bank account. It has over 30 million active users in Kenya.
  • Home Fiber and Internet Solutions: Safaricom offers home fibre broadband services in Kenya’s major cities and towns.
  • Enterprise Solutions: Safaricom provides industries with solutions in cloud computing, cybersecurity, IoT, and digital payment.

Safaricom PLC is Kenya’s largest telecoms company, and it is based in Nairobi. It is known as one of Africa’s most innovative telecom companies. Established in 1997, Safaricom offers a wide range of services, including mobile voice, data, internet, and enterprise solutions, with a subscriber base of around 49 million. In addition, the company has also invested heavily in expanding 4G and fibre-optic networks, enhancing rural and urban connectivity across Kenya. Safaricom is majority-owned by Vodafone Group Plc and Vodacom Group Ltd (a subsidiary of Vodafone). The Kenyan government and the public also hold shares. In 2021, Safaricom won a license to operate in Ethiopia and launched operations in 2022. Also, the company has launched 5G services in Nairobi, Kisumu, Kisii, and Kakamega to support high-speed demand.

Sonatel

• Founding Date: 1985
• Headquarters: Dakar, Senegal
• Market Reach: It primarily operates in Senegal but also has a strong presence in Mali, Guinea, Mauritania, and Burkina Faso through its subsidiaries.
• Number of Subscribers: Roughly 41 million subscribers in Africa
• Website: Sonatel
• Key Divisions & Services:
  • Mobile Services: Sonatel offers a wide range of services under the Orange brand, including voice, SMS, and mobile data. Thus, it provides 4G services and is working on expanding its 5G services.
  • Internet and Broadband: It provides fixed-line and mobile broadband services, including ADSL and fibre optic internet. In addition, the company is investing in expanding fibre-optic networks to improve internet speed across Senegal and West Africa.
  • Fixed-Line Services: It offers a fixed-line segment for industries and residential clients in Senegal.
  • Enterprise Solutions: The company offers cloud services, data centre services, ICT consulting, and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions for industries.
  • Digital Financial Services: It offers Orange Money mobile money services, which let customers transfer money, pay bills, and perform financial transactions through their phones.

Sonatel, the largest telecom company in Senegal, has about 41 million subscribers across its operations in Senegal, Mali, Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau. The company offers various services, including mobile voice, data, and fixed-line internet. It is a subsidiary of the Orange Group, which holds about 42% of its shares. Sonatel’s mobile network is one of the most extensive in Senegal and the wider West African region. The company is also preparing for 5G trials and plans to gradually introduce 5G services in the coming years. Furthermore, Sonatel is expanding its fibre-optic network, offering high-speed internet services to businesses and urban areas.

Telkom SA

• Founding Date: 1991
• Headquarters: Centurion, Gauteng, South Africa
• Market Reach: Primarily serves the South African market
• Number of Subscribers: Roughly 21 million subscribers in Africa
• Website: Telkom SA
• Key Divisions & Services:
  • Mobile Voice & Data Services: Telkom offers 2G, 3G, and 4G LTE and is in the early stages of exploring 5G connectivity.
  • Fixed-Line and Broadband: The company offers fixed-line infrastructure and fibre optics for high-speed internet.
  • Enterprise ICT Solutions: Telkom offers cloud solutions, cybersecurity, data hosting, and managed services to industries
  • Content and Entertainment: The company offers services through TelkomONE, a streaming platform that provides video-on-demand, live TV, and local content.
  • Digital Financial Services: Telkom SA has entered the digital payments sector with services like Telkom Pay. This digital wallet allows users to make payments, transfer money, and purchase services through mobile devices.

Established in 1991, the company serves about 21 million subscribers and operates in consumer and business markets. As one of the top telecom companies in South Africa, it primarily offers mobile, fixed-line, broadband, and fibre services, focusing on mobile data. Telkom SA also provides enterprise and ICT solutions, making it a key player in the South African telecom and digital service sectors.

Others

• Etisalat Egypt
• Econet Wireless