The office in the capital Nairobi is to enable industry and stakeholders continue to extend the reach and socio-economic benefits of mobile throughout Africa.

“It is an exciting time to raise our profile in Africa, as the region is increasingly vibrant and remains the fastest growing region in the world, accounting for 12 per cent of the world’s mobile subscribers,” said John
Giusti, Chief Regulatory Officer, GSMA.

He said the rapid pace of mobile adoption has delivered an explosion of innovation and huge economic benefits in the region.

The office, he said, would open up new and exciting opportunities for collaboration between the GSMA and members, other industries, governments, regional organisations and the international development community.

Mobile is a vital tool in delivering digital and financial inclusion in Sub-Saharan Africa. According to research from GSMA Intelligence (GSMAi), around 270 million people in the region now access the internet through
mobile devices, while the number of registered mobile money accounts has reached 280 million.

The mobile industry is already a key enabler for the regional economy and essential to building a Digital Africa.

Mobile technologies and services generated $110 billion of economic value in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2016, equivalent to 7,7 per cent of regional GDP – a figure expected to grow to $142 billion (8,6 per cent of GDP) by 2020 according to GSMA.

The mobile ecosystem also directly and indirectly supported approximately 3,5 million jobs in the region last year, and made a $13 billion contribution to the public sector in the form of taxation.
– CAJ News