On the sidelines of MWC Kigali 2025, Telecom Review Africa analyzed why Rwanda stands as one of the continent’s most compelling examples of digital acceleration. Aligned with the theme, ‘The Connected Continent,’ Rwanda’s progress reflects Africa’s broader journey toward ubiquitous connectivity and inclusive digital growth.
With near-universal 4G coverage, and as 5G deployment gathers pace across the region, Rwanda has cracked the code to advanced digital penetration, serving as a use case for its African counterparts in an era of intelligent connectivity.
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State of Connectivity
The SMART Rwanda plan 2015-2016 put broadband at the center of the national socio-economic development agenda. As a result, Rwanda caught up with other markets in Africa. In addition, the Rwandan government updated its National Broadband Policy and Strategy in 2022, reversing its commitment to the SWN approach. This shift included introducing technology neutrality, allowing mobile operators to refarm spectrum bands so they could be used simultaneously for several technologies, including 4G and 5G, in a way that maximizes the efficient use of spectrum and meets market demand for new services. To further support this change, additional spectrum in the 700 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 2100 MHz bands was allocated, creating opportunities for multiple operators to deploy advanced networks.
Rwanda’s digital transformation is accelerating rapidly, with the country achieving near-universal mobile broadband coverage and expanding digital access nationwide. By the end of 2025, 4G network coverage is estimated to reach 100%, while 3G coverage stands at 99.71%, positioning Rwanda among Africa’s most connected nations. Average broadband speeds are projected to reach 54.67k kbit/s, supporting the government’s ambition to establish a foundation for digital services, e-governance, and innovation-driven growth.
Complementing this infrastructure progress, Rwanda’s internet penetration is expected to reach 42.6%, with 1.35 million households projected to have home internet access. The country’s growing digital economy is reflected in ICT service exports per capita of USD 2.52 and consumer spending on ICT equipment totaling USD 100.9 million.
Read More: Rwanda’s Digital Renaissance: Government Initiatives and Local Startup Triumphs
The African Comparative
According to the Broadband Commission’s 2025 State of Broadband in Africa report, the percentage of individuals using the internet in Africa increased steadily from 25% in 2019 to 38% by 2024. However, this regional average masks significant disparities. Mobile cellular coverage in Africa was estimated by the ITU to be around 88.4% in 2024. Around 77% of the population now lives within reach of a 3G signal, and 44.3% within reach of an LTE mobile broadband signal. By 2024, mobile broadband covered 86% of Africa’s population, leaving 14% without mobile connectivity (25% in rural areas).
4G connections accounted for a third of all connections and just over half of all mobile connections in Sub-Saharan Africa were 3G and 10% were still 2G. The first 5G networks have been launched, with 5G currently accounting for only 1.2% of connections. 5G is predicted to reach 17% penetration by 2030.
