Telecommunications revenue in Africa

Africa: Telecommunications revenue was 4.0% in 2010. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2010)
4.0%
Change on year
down 6.7%
Rank
2nd
of 2 regions
All-time high
2,474,950,000.0%
in 1970
All-time low
4.0%
in 2010
Years of data
30
1970–2010

Telecommunications revenue in Africa, 1970–2010

0500.0M1.0B1.5B2.0B2.5B1970199020101970: 2.5B % GDP1982: 34.9 % GDP1983: 21.7 % GDP1984: 26.6 % GDP1985: 48.1 % GDP1986: 53 % GDP1987: 60.2 % GDP1988: 92.3 % GDP1989: 92.8 % GDP1990: 114.8 % GDP1991: 136.2 % GDP1992: 136.7 % GDP1993: 147 % GDP1994: 172.2 % GDP1995: 156.9 % GDP1996: 202.7 % GDP1997: 271.9 % GDP1998: 289.9 % GDP1999: 350.7 % GDP2000: 192.7 % GDP2001: 274.5 % GDP2002: 335.5 % GDP2003: 109.6 % GDP2004: 222.2 % GDP2005: 778.1 % GDP2006: 19.2 % GDP2007: 20.8 % GDP2008: 4.2 % GDP2009: 4.3 % GDP2010: 4 % GDP

Source: International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication/ICT Development Report and database, and World Bank estimates. Measured in % GDP.

Analysis

Africa recorded 4.0% for telecommunications revenue in 2010. That is the lowest value across all 30 years on record.

That represents a change of down 6.7% on the previous year and down 97.9% over ten years.

Over the whole period, telecommunications revenue in Africa peaked at 2,474,950,000.0% in 1970 and was at its lowest, 4.0%, in 2010.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1970s 2,474,950,000.0% 2,474,950,000.0% 2,474,950,000.0% 1
1980s 53.7% 21.7% 92.8% 8
1990s 197.9% 114.8% 350.7% 10
2000s 196.1% 4.2% 778.1% 10
2010s 4.0% 4.0% 4.0% 1

Countries ranked near Africa

  1. 1 Zimbabwe 10.3% compare
  2. 2 Kenya 9.9% compare
  3. 3 Senegal 9.7% compare
  4. 4 Togo 9.4% compare
  5. 5 Cabo Verde 8.3% compare

See the full ranking of 57 places →

More infrastructure data for Africa

All data for Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is telecommunications revenue in Africa?
Telecommunications revenue in Africa was 4.0% in 2010, according to International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication/ICT Development Report and database, and World Bank estimates.
What is the highest telecommunications revenue recorded in Africa?
The highest recorded value was 2,474,950,000.0% in 1970.
What is the lowest telecommunications revenue recorded in Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 4.0% in 2010.
How does Africa rank for telecommunications revenue?
Africa ranks 2nd out of 2 regions with data for 2010.
Is telecommunications revenue rising or falling in Africa?
Over the last ten years it is down 97.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Africa data come from?
The figures come from International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication/ICT Development Report and database, and World Bank estimates, published as part of Telecommunications revenue (% GDP). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Telecommunications revenue in Africa. Statizoid, drawing on International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication/ICT Development Report and database, and World Bank estimates. Retrieved 18 August 2026, from https://infrastructure.statizoid.com/stat/telecommunications-revenue-percent-gdp/africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Telecommunications revenue (% GDP)
Unit
% GDP
Source
International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication/ICT Development Report and database, and World Bank estimates
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
57 places, 1,379 data points, 1965–2011
Last refreshed

Telecommunications revenue is the revenue from the provision of telecommunications services such as fixed-line, mobile, and data.