The GSMA has just published its report on the Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa 2017, and it makes for interesting reading for entrepreneurs looking for new market opportunities on the continent. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for nearly a tenth of the global mobile subscriber base and is expected to grow faster than every other region over the next five years. The contribution of the mobile industry to GDP in Sub-Saharan African in 2016 was $110bn (7.7%); it is anticipated that by 2020 it will be $142bn (8.6%). The mobile industry is playing an increasingly important role in the social and economic development of the African continent. Mobile connectivity has become the main platform for innovation and the driving force for greater inclusion, while the mobile ecosystem, including mobile network operators and device vendors, contributes significantly to economic growth and jobs. Across the region, mobile is enabling life-enhancing services that directly impact the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), complementing the efforts of governments and their development partners. The mobile economy means digital inclusion, financial inclusion and innovation can thrive in Sub-Saharan African, and that means more entrepreneurs have access to opportunity and can drive their own businesses to be economic success stories.

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