mobile
ZAMBIA MOBILE NETWORK KEY FIGURES
| Mobile Penetration | Internet Connections | Local Workforce Share | 5G Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over 100% | ~14 million | 53% | AI-ready deployment |
Mobile penetration in Zambia already exceeds 100%, with internet connections approaching 14 million, according to the inaugural PwC Zambia Telecommunications Report 2025, as the sector prioritises 5G deployment to support artificial intelligence applications.
Major local companies account for 53% of the telecommunications workforce, while operators are being encouraged to shift from competing tower deployments toward shared, co-located infrastructure to extend mobile coverage further.
Network Penetration
The Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority’s Director General told the PwC report’s launch event that mobile penetration exceeds 100% and internet connections approach 14 million, while the value of mobile money transactions is approaching ZMW 4 billion[1]. Information and communication contributed 3.12% of Zambia’s nominal GDP in 2025 and grew 6.4% in real terms, with the sector separately accounting for 20% of total tax revenue[2].
Employment and Infrastructure Sharing
Major local companies account for 53% of the telecommunications workforce, which the PwC report frames as evidence of job creation and economic stability within the sector[1]. The Ministry of Technology and Science’s strategic priorities include shifting operators from competing tower deployments toward shared, co-located infrastructure to extend coverage further, alongside strengthening cyber resilience against fraud and accelerating revision of the legal framework governing ICT[1]. Solar-powered communication towers are already in use in Ngabwe and Lavushimanda as part of this infrastructure push, and Zamtel has deployed solar energy solutions for load management on its own network[1].
5G and Policy Direction
The Ministry’s strategic priorities include prioritising 5G deployment to support artificial intelligence applications, under a National ICT Policy 2023 whose vision is “an integrated ICT ecosystem for Zambia’s digital economy”[1][3].
Investment Opportunities
The government’s own priorities point directly at where new investment is wanted: 5G network build-out and shared tower infrastructure that lets a single site serve multiple operators, detailed further on the dedicated Telecoms page[1]. A sector already exceeding 100% mobile penetration also suggests the next leg of growth is coming from data and value-added services rather than basic connectivity alone[1][2].
Last Update: September 2026
