More than 200 mobile spectrum licences worth over US$10 billion are due for renewal across Africa over the next decade, according to new GSMA Intelligence research warning that spectrum pricing and licence conditions could constrain investment in digital connectivity.
The report, Spectrum Policy in Africa: Enabling Investment and Empowering Consumers Through Effective Spectrum Pricing, published in October 2026, finds that African mobile operators hold an average of approximately 570 MHz of spectrum below 7 GHz, compared with around 750 MHz among operators elsewhere in the world. Despite having less spectrum available, African operators pay around 24% more per unit of spectrum relative to revenue. The findings were reported by TechCentral on 16 October.
The financial burden can extend well beyond the headline licence fee. In Benin, direct spectrum costs represent approximately 7% of operator revenue, but the effective burden rises to around 73% when coverage and service-quality obligations are included. In Rwanda, the comparable figure increases from less than 1% to approximately 14%. The GSMA argues that such commitments need to be structured to support connectivity objectives without undermining operators’ ability to invest in network expansion and capacity.
The consequences are visible in the gap between network availability and actual internet use. According to the report, 4G networks cover approximately 83% of Africa’s population, yet only 28% use mobile internet, compared with a global average of 66%. Network coverage alone does not guarantee adoption, with affordability, device access and digital skills also influencing whether people can get online. However, spectrum policy remains an important factor in the cost and performance of the infrastructure underpinning digital services.
For Africa’s broadcasting and media industries, these conditions have direct implications for streaming, catch-up television and mobile-first distribution. Services may be technically available across a market but struggle to reach their potential audience if consumers face expensive data, inconsistent network performance or limited access to capable devices. Broadcasters and content platforms therefore have a stake in policies that support both wider network investment and affordable connectivity.
The GSMA estimates that spectrum pricing and licensing reforms could extend 5G coverage to an additional 170 million people and generate more than US$120 billion in additional economic output across Africa between 2026 and 2035. These are projections rather than guaranteed outcomes. Recommendations include more predictable licence renewals, longer licence terms, greater spectrum availability and pricing approaches that account for the long-term value of connectivity.
With more than US$10 billion in licences approaching renewal, regulators face decisions that will shape the economics of mobile infrastructure for years to come. For broadcasters seeking to grow digital audiences, the debate is not simply about telecoms fees: it is about whether Africa’s connectivity ecosystem can support wider and more affordable access to media services.
