The mobile internet gender gap in sub-Saharan Africa continues to shrink, falling from 36% in 2022 to 29% in 2024, according to the Mobile Gender Gap Report 2025 published today by the GSMA, a global organization unifying the mobile ecosystem.
This marks the second consecutive year of progress in a region historically known for having the highest proportion of women excluded from mobile internet access.
While men’s adoption rates have plateaued, rising just one percentage point from 53% to 54%, women’s usage increased more significantly from 36% to 39%, helping to close the divide.
“Sub-Saharan Africa stands out as the only region where the mobile internet gender gap has continued to narrow,” Claire Sibthorpe, Head of Digital Inclusion at the GSMA, says to FORBES AFRICA. “This is a positive achievement in a region with a relatively high mobile internet gender gap, especially as progress has stalled across low- and middle-income countries overall in the last year.”
Despite the gains, the gap remains substantial: around 205 million women in the region—roughly 61% of the adult female population—still do not use mobile internet. The reasons are multifaceted, including affordability, limited digital literacy, safety concerns, and restrictive social norms.
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Smartphone ownership is closely linked to internet usage. The report notes that when women do own smartphones, their internet adoption rates almost equal those of men. But the high cost of devices continues to be a key barrier. GSMA is advocating for targeted interventions such as handset subsidies, financing models, and public-private partnerships to make smartphones more accessible.
“Connecting women is not just about technology—it’s about economic inclusion,” Sibthorpe adds. “When women are online, they gain access to opportunities in education, healthcare, financial services, and entrepreneurship, which benefits the entire economy.”
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