The mobile telephony market in Africa remained stable in the first quarter of 2018, although smartphone shipments declined for the second consecutive quarter, according to the latest data from International Data Corporation (IDC).
Research shows that a total of 52,1 million mobile phones were sold in the first quarter of 2018, down 6,3% from the previous quarter, the two largest markets. Nigeria and South Africa showed lower performance and recorded quarterly declines of 6,4% and 27,4%, respectively.
For smartphones, shipments decreased 4,5% in the first quarter of the year, which totaled 20,4 million units. This represents a decline of 4,4%. Transsion brands continued to lead the smartphone category in the first quarter of 2018 with 32,1% of market sales.
DC expects the African mobile phone market to grow 0,5% in the second quarter of 2018, while shipments for 2018 as a whole are expected to fall 0,6% year-on-year. Demand for feature phones is expected to remain strong, although IDC expects suppliers to boost acceptance of smartphones, which can offer more features and at affordable prices.
Africa has for the last three years been the fastest growing communications technology market in the world and will continue to be an important market for this industry.
