ZICTA releases annual market report, says mobile cellular subscriptions grew 9.5% to hit 23.2 million in 2024

The Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) has released its 2024 Annual Market Report, highlighting growth and resilience in the ICT and postal sectors despite economic challenges.

According to the report, active mobile cellular subscriptions rose by 9.5 percent from 21.1 million in 2023 to 23.2 million in 2024, while internet subscriptions increased by seven percent, reaching 13.5 million.

ZICTA Manager Corporate Affairs, Hanford Chaaba, noted that digital financial services adoption also surged, with mobile money transaction volumes growing by 33 percent and transaction values rising by eight percent.

“Although rising operational costs—driven by load shedding, currency depreciation, and inflation—moderately impacted affordability, total revenue for Mobile Network Operators grew by 21 percent, reaching K11.5 billion in 2024,” Chaaba said.

The report also highlighted key government initiatives aimed at expanding digital access, including the ZamFree Initiative, which introduced public Wi-Fi in selected cities, and the launch of Zambia’s National AI Strategy to foster safe AI adoption.

Additionally, a partnership between the government and Google led to the establishment of an AI Centre of Excellence at the University of Zambia (UNZA) to enhance digital skills and innovation, according to the report.

Cybersecurity also reportedly improved, with Zambia’s Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) score rising to 92.6 percent, well above the global average of 65.7 percent.

The report noted that infrastructure investments played a crucial role in digital expansion, as the number of telecommunication towers grew from 3,568 to 3,626, and telecommunication sites increased by 10 percent to 14,519.

The postal and courier sector saw similar growth, with licenses rising by 19 percent to 123 operators due to increasing demand and reduced licensing fees, according to ZICTA.

Operators recorded strong performances in both domestic and international parcel volumes, the report added.

Looking ahead, Chaaba expressed optimism for continued growth, driven by further infrastructure investments, government digital transformation efforts, and improving economic conditions.

He projected mobile cellular subscriptions to reach approximately 24.5 million by the end of 2025.

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