Macroeconomic Challenges Fail to Dampen Growth Trajectory of Africa's Smartphone Market

Contact

• Sheila Manek (smanek)  Email: smanek@idc.com  Phone number: +971 4 391 2741

Johannesburg – Africa's smartphone market has remained resilient in the face of macroeconomic challenges, high inflation, and forex issues, with shipments increasing 12.8% year on year in Q3 2023 to reach 20.1 million units. That's according to the latest Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker from International Data Corporation (IDC), which also reveals that feature phone shipments decreased 5.1% over the same period to total 23.1 million units.

"Egypt witnessed the continent's most substantial year-on-year growth in smartphone shipments in Q3 2023, albeit from a low base as the market was negatively impacted in Q3 2022 by the introduction of new import regulations and restrictions, which have since been eased," says Arnold Ponela, a senior research analyst at IDC. "South Africa's smartphone market also saw healthy growth, driven by the recovery of local brands and the increased presence of Chinese brands. Despite the country experiencing rapid currency devaluation, Nigeria's smartphone market registered growth in Q3 2023, with Infinix and Xiaomi boosting their shipments of entry-level devices."

Transsion brands (Tecno, Itel, Infinix) retained a dominant position in terms of smartphone market share in Q3 2023, driven by their compelling portfolio of entry-level handsets suited for the African market. Samsung followed in second place, with Xiaomi third. Shipments of smartphones priced under $100 increased year on year in Q3 2023, while shipments of $100–$200 devices decreased, indicating a growing consumer preference for budget-friendly options.

Looking ahead, IDC expects Africa's smartphone market to expand 2.6% year on year in 2024, with a sustained upward trajectory through 2027. "Africa remains a market with high feature phone share, and the transition to smartphones will be a key driver of the market's growth in the mid to long term," says Ramazan Yavuz, a research manager at IDC. "Persistent inflationary pressures and escalating macroeconomic uncertainties will result in short-term ups and downs in the market but will not impede the long-term shift from feature phones to smartphones."

For more information, please contact Sheila Manek at smanek@idc.com  or on +971 4 446 3154.

About IDC

International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,300 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology, IT benchmarking and sourcing, and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC's analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a wholly owned subsidiary of International Data Group (IDG), the world's leading tech media, data, and marketing services company. To learn more about IDC, please visit www.idc.com. Follow IDC on Twitter at @IDC and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the IDC Blog for industry news and insights.

IDC in the Middle East, Türkiye, and Africa

For the Middle East, Türkiye, and Africa region, IDC retains a coordinated network of offices in Riyadh, Nairobi, Lagos, Johannesburg, Cairo, and Istanbul, with a regional center in Dubai. Our coverage couples local insights with international perspectives to provide a comprehensive understanding of markets in these dynamic regions. Our market intelligence services are unparalleled in depth, consistency, scope, and accuracy. IDC MEA currently fields over 130 analysts, consultants, and conference associates across the region. To learn more about IDC MEA, please visit www.idc.com/mea. You can follow IDC MEA on Twitter at @IDCMEA.

Coverage