MTN tops Africa’s cell velocity charts as Vodacom leads 5G race

Recent knowledge from Speedtest Intelligence by Ookla Analysis, for the primary half of 2025, exhibits that MTN Group dominates the continent’s cell velocity rankings, whereas Vodacom has emerged because the clear frontrunner in 5G efficiency, reflecting contrasting community methods amongst Africa’s largest telecom firms.

Throughout 19 operators from MTN, Vodacom, Orange, and Airtel, the median obtain speeds ranged from 14.8 Mbps for Vodacom (DRC) to 74.76 Mbps for MTN South Africa, the quickest throughout sub-Saharan Africa. The efficiency cements MTN’s place because the area’s velocity chief, pushed by heavy funding in 4G and 5G rollout, and community optimisation throughout key markets like Nigeria, Uganda, and South Africa.

MTN South Africa recorded the very best median obtain and add speeds for all applied sciences, 74.76 Mbps and 13.65 Mbps, respectively, putting it nicely forward of regional rivals. Botswana adopted because the second-strongest market, powered by Mascom, MTN’s three way partnership, which achieved 65.34 Mbps in obtain velocity and 18.35 Mbps in add velocity. Orange Botswana got here shut behind at 56 Mbps.

The group’s sturdy efficiency prolonged throughout a number of areas. MTN Uganda and MTN Nigeria led in median obtain and add speeds in East and West Africa, respectively. Notably, MTN operations in Uganda, Nigeria, and Botswana have been the one ones within the Speedtest rating to realize 5G median obtain speeds above 200 Mbps, outpacing different main gamers like Vodacom, Orange, and Airtel.

Vodacom’s 5G technique pays off in South Africa

Whereas MTN leads total in cell efficiency, Vodacom has taken the 5G crown in South Africa, recording a median 5G obtain velocity of 174.9 Mbps and an add velocity of 11.86 Mbps — the quickest within the nation. Vodacom’s edge is attributed to its use of a wider spectrum bandwidth and a community densification technique centered on city facilities.

Throughout all applied sciences, Vodacom ranked fourth amongst surveyed operators, with median obtain and add speeds of 52.31 Mbps and seven.88 Mbps, respectively. The operator’s superior 5G outcomes spotlight a rising divergence in efficiency throughout legacy and next-generation networks, as operators pursue completely different rollout methods to handle prices and spectrum effectivity.

Regional insights: South Africa and Botswana set the tempo

Southern Africa continues to guide sub-Saharan Africa in cell broadband speeds. The area’s operators, led by MTN South Africa, Mascom, Orange Botswana, and Vodacom South Africa, posted median obtain speeds above 50 Mbps.

Against this, West and Central Africa lag. In Côte d’Ivoire, the place 5G rollout stays restricted, Orange secured the highest spot with a median obtain velocity of 35.25 Mbps, whereas MTN Côte d’Ivoire trailed beneath 25 Mbps. Within the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the place 5G companies are but to be broadly commercialised, Orange outperformed rivals in obtain velocity, whereas Airtel led in add velocity. Nonetheless, all operators within the DRC ranked on the backside of the continent’s cell efficiency listing, with Vodacom posting the bottom median obtain velocity total at 14.8 Mbps.

In the meantime, Botswana has quietly develop into one in every of Africa’s 5G pioneers, with Mascom and Orange delivering sturdy outcomes. The nation’s investments in 2021—together with the launch of the Digital Delta Information Centre and the $7.5 million SmartBots Village, together with expanded spectrum entry and digital infrastructure—have helped create one of the superior cell broadband environments in Africa..

East Africa: Safaricom surges forward in Kenya

In East Africa, Safaricom stays the undisputed chief in Kenya’s cell velocity race. The operator’s median obtain velocity of 43 Mbps was 2.4 instances quicker than Airtel’s, representing the biggest efficiency hole between two main rivals in any African market. Safaricom additionally delivered a median add velocity of 15.11 Mbps, reinforcing its dominance.

The distinction was much more pronounced in 5G efficiency, the place Safaricom’s obtain and add speeds have been roughly thrice these of Airtel Kenya. In Tanzania, the dynamics flipped: Airtel outperformed Vodacom in 5G speeds, whereas in Uganda, MTN’s community remained far forward of Airtel’s.

Nigeria: MTN consolidates dominance regardless of headwinds

Nigeria, Africa’s largest cell market with over 170 million energetic subscribers, continues to be a key battleground for operators. MTN and Airtel management over 86% of the market, however their efficiency metrics diverge sharply.

In response to Speedtest knowledge, MTN Nigeria recorded a 5G median obtain velocity of 226.6 Mbps, in comparison with 182.6 Mbps for Airtel, whereas sustaining barely greater 4G availability (91.2% versus Airtel’s 89.9%). MTN’s median obtain velocity far exceeded Airtel’s 17.44 Mbps, positioning MTN because the quickest operator in West Africa.

These outcomes are notably notable given Nigeria’s persistent challenges — from forex devaluation and inflation to gas shortages and infrastructure vandalism. Regardless of the financial headwinds, MTN has dedicated US$3.5 billion in community investments between 2023 and 2028, together with an settlement with Airtel to share community infrastructure to enhance effectivity and protection.

The 5G divide and the highway forward

Whereas 5G rollout expands throughout components of Southern and East Africa, protection stays sparse elsewhere. Speedtest knowledge means that operators in international locations like Nigeria, Botswana, and Uganda are reaping the advantages of early deployment, whereas markets similar to Côte d’Ivoire and the DRC are nonetheless ready for industrial launches.

The affect of 5G on community efficiency is obvious. Operators with wider protection and better community availability constantly ship higher speeds. In distinction, restricted 5G entry and reliance on legacy networks proceed to carry again consumer expertise in some international locations.

Africa’s telecom development story, nonetheless, stays compelling. The continent’s younger inhabitants, speedy smartphone adoption, and rising demand for digital companies make it one of the dynamic telecom markets globally. However sustaining high-speed connectivity would require addressing essential challenges: spectrum availability, excessive vitality prices, regulatory complexity, and the necessity for broader infrastructure sharing.