81% of smartphones bought in Africa in 2025 priced under $200

Greater than 4 in each 5 smartphones bought in Nigeria and throughout Africa in 2025 had been priced under $200, in line with a brand new report by world expertise market analyst Omdia. 

Africa recorded 84.4 million smartphone shipments in 2025, a 13% year-on-year improve, Omdia stated. Gadgets priced under $200 accounted for 81% of whole shipments, cementing entry-level and funds smartphones because the continent’s dominant quantity phase.

In Nigeria, the place smartphones stay the first gateway to the web, affordability stays the most important barrier to digital inclusion. The nation recorded 147.52 million cell web connections as of December 2025, but practically six in ten Nigerians stay offline, largely as a result of smartphones stay costly,  in line with GSMA, the worldwide business physique for telecom operators.

Forex volatility stays the most important stress level. With practically all smartphones imported, system costs transfer intently with the naira. The Central Financial institution of Nigeria’s 2023 overseas trade reforms triggered a pointy forex depreciation that pushed handset costs increased and slowed smartphone shipments to simply 1% progress within the third quarter of 2024, reversing the 63% surge recorded in late 2023.

Nevertheless, market circumstances have improved in 2025 following relative forex stability and device-financing schemes. Nigeria’s smartphone shipments returned to progress within the second quarter of 2025, increasing by 10% as trade fee stability improved. By the third quarter, shipments surged 29% year-on-year, supported by a steadier forex surroundings.

Omdia estimates that Nigeria’s smartphone market expanded by 25% in This fall 2025, pushed largely by rising adoption of inexpensive 4G smartphones as cell web utilization elevated. The sub-$200 phase was the dominant quantity tier.

Throughout Africa, the broader smartphone market recorded its strongest efficiency since 2021 as deferred substitute demand returned and distributor inventories stabilised.

Smartphones accounted for roughly 55% of whole cell handset shipments in 2025, underscoring the continent’s gradual transition away from function telephones towards entry-level and mid-tier sensible units.

Stabilising currencies, accelerating 4G adoption, early-stage 5G rollouts in markets reminiscent of South Africa and Egypt, alongside festive-season promotions and vendor affordability campaigns, supported progress throughout areas.

Sub-Saharan Africa outpaced North Africa in This fall progress, reinforcing its place because the continent’s major demand engine.

South Africa led growth with 38% year-on-year progress supported by robust pay as you go demand, whereas sub-$100 smartphones accounted for 22% of shipments. Kenya recorded a modest 3% improve as cost-of-living pressures restricted discretionary upgrades.

In North Africa, Egypt’s smartphone market expanded by 22%, supported by native manufacturing benefits and value-focused portfolios from distributors together with Samsung, Xiaomi, and OPPO. Gadgets priced between $100 and $199 accounted for 60% of shipments and grew 19% year-on-year.

Algeria grew 5%, whereas Morocco declined 3% as elevated import duties weighed on affordability.

In This fall, 2025, the typical promoting value of smartphones throughout Africa elevated by 11% as shoppers shifted towards better-specified entry and mid-tier units.

Omdia expects Africa’s smartphone market to face a correction in 2026, forecasting shipments might decline by 23% as affordability pressures intensify.

“The affect will fluctuate by market,” Manish Pravinkumar, Principal Analyst at Omdia, stated. “Nigeria and Kenya, the place demand is concentrated in sub-US$200 units, are more likely to see sharper quantity stress. Egypt could stay comparatively extra resilient as a consequence of native manufacturing benefits, and South Africa’s extra mature operator-led construction affords some insulation by way of postpaid and premium demand.”