Why 5G Remains Out of Reach for Most Nigerians

In Nigeria, 5G’s share of mobile connections rose from 0.12% in May 2023 to 4.92% in August 2026, while 4G became the leading technology at 54.77%. NTEL chief technology officer Kingsley Uwazie says expensive compatible phones and costly network deployment are limiting adoption despite Nigerians’ appetite for mobile data. Nigeria’s smartphone market contracted 11% in the second quarter of 2026, while shipments across Africa of phones priced below $100 fell 34% year-on-year. Omdia warned that Nigerian smartphone prices could rise a further 15% to 30% through the end of 2026 if component costs keep increasing.