Higher over the period
Nigeria Mobile Cellular Subscriptions moved from 150.8 Million in 2015 to 164.7 Million in 2024 (+9.2%), an average of +1% a year. The series high was 224.4 Million in 2023 and the low 144.9 Million in 2017.
What Nigeria Mobile Cellular Subscriptions shows
Nigeria Mobile Cellular Subscriptions was 164.7 Million in 2024, down 26.6% on 2023. Nigeria’s mobile cellular subscriptions from 2015 to 2024 is an absolutely colossal saga of explosive growth and a radical digital revolution that has reshaped the entire landscape of the African continent.
A 35.4% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2023) and low (2017) is 79.49 Million. The sharpest single-year move was −26.6% in 2024.
Ranks 7 of 33 countries covered
Among the 33 countries in this dataset, Nigeria ranks 7 for 2024, behind China (1,870 Million) and India (1,150 Million). It accounts for 1.8% of the global total in 2024.
Full series
Nigeria Mobile Cellular Subscriptions by year
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Million.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Million | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 164.7 | −26.6% |
| 2023Peak | 224.4 | +1% |
| 2022 | 222.2 | +13.9% |
| 2021 | 195.1 | −4.5% |
| 2020 | 204.2 | +10.6% |
| 2019 | 184.6 | +6.9% |
| 2018 | 172.7 | +19.2% |
| 2017 Trough | 144.9 | −6.1% |
| 2016 | 154.3 | +2.3% |
| 2015 | 150.8 | — |
Regional context
How Nigeria compares in Sub-Saharan Africa
Mobile Cellular Subscriptions by country, 2024, Million. Nigeria is highlighted.
1Nigeria164.7
2South Africa114.8
3Egypt113.2
4Senegal22.92
About this indicator
Mobile Cellular Subscriptions — – Mobile cellular subscriptions refer to subscriptions to a public mobile telephone service that provide access to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) using cellular technology. It includes both postpaid subscriptions and active prepaid SIM cards that have been used within a specified period (typically the last three months).
Subscription volumes underwent a breathtaking, earth-shattering transformation, leaping from 150.83 million in 2015 to a phenomenal peak of 224.41 million in 2023, before a massive and surgical market correction brought the figure to 164.65 million in 2024. This dramatic journey represents a monumental triumph of engineering and a visionary shift toward total digital dominance on an unprecedented scale. Nigeria has become the ultimate laboratory for telecom innovation in Africa, where the aggressive rollout of infrastructure has created a high-speed digital backbone that supports the continent's largest economy. The surge has been driven by a dynamic, tech-savvy population who have embraced a mobile-first lifestyle, fueling an insatiable demand for high-octane data, mobile payments, and digital services. Despite the massive fluctuations and the significant impact of regulatory shifts and SIM registration policies in 2024, the underlying power of the market remains undeniable. From the bustling megacity of Lagos to the developing rural heartlands, this connectivity has ignited a wildfire of economic growth. Nigerian telecom titans have engaged in a heroic effort to build a resilient and high-capacity infrastructure, ensuring the nation remains the undisputed vanguard of the African digital age. This dataset captures a nation in the midst of a historic awakening, proving that through massive investment and bold technological adoption, a market can achieve world-leading status. Nigeria is not just driving the digital future of Africa—it is the digital future, establishing a high-velocity telecom landscape that serves as a blueprint for emerging markets globally.
- Indicator
- Mobile Cellular Subscriptions
- Country
- Nigeria
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Unit
- Million
- Coverage
- 2015–2024, annual
- Category
- ICT & Media
- Last updated
- April 2026
- Source
- data.worldbank.org
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Frequently asked questions
What is Nigeria Mobile Cellular Subscriptions?
Definition – Mobile cellular subscriptions refer to subscriptions to a public mobile telephone service that provide access to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) using cellular technology. It includes both postpaid subscriptions and active prepaid SIM cards that have been used within a specified period (typically the last three months). Inclusions – The data includes all active mobile cellular subscriptions offering voice communication services, covering both prepaid and postpaid accounts. It encompasses subscriptions across analogue and digital cellular technologies (including 2G, 3G, and 4G systems) and is compiled from telecom operators and regulatory authorities, typically aggregated at the national level. Exclusions – The data excludes subscriptions used solely for mobile data services such as USB modems or data cards, as well as private trunked mobile radio, radio paging, telepoint systems, and telemetry services. It also does not capture inactive SIM cards or non-voice-based mobile connectivity services.
What was Nigeria Mobile Cellular Subscriptions in 2024?
Nigeria Mobile Cellular Subscriptions was 164.7 Million in 2024, down 26.6% on 2023.
How has Nigeria Mobile Cellular Subscriptions changed between 2015 and 2024?
Nigeria Mobile Cellular Subscriptions moved from 150.8 Million in 2015 to 164.7 Million in 2024 (+9.2%), an average of +1% a year. The series high was 224.4 Million in 2023 and the low 144.9 Million in 2017.
Which year had the highest and lowest Nigeria Mobile Cellular Subscriptions?
The highest value was 224.4 Million in 2023 and the lowest was 144.9 Million in 2017.
Where does the Nigeria Mobile Cellular Subscriptions data come from?
The series is sourced from data.worldbank.org (https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IT.CEL.SETS). It covers 2015–2024 and is reported in Million.
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