Nigeria continues to play a significant role in Africa’s digital transformation. With an estimated population of about 237 million in 2025, of which nearly twothirds are under the age of 25, the country’s large, youthful and increasingly entrepreneurial population continues to drive digital adoption, innovation and technology-enabled economic activity.
At the centre of this transformation is the smartphone. Its growing adoption has made digital connectivity more accessible and accelerated the use of mobile applications across financial services, telecommunications, commerce, entertainment, education and transportation. NCC’s May 2026 data show 157 million internet subscribers and data consumption exceeding 1.5 million terabytes, reflecting the growing scale and intensity of digital activity. Alongside the rapid growth of digital payment platforms and technologyenabled businesses, smartphones have evolved beyond tools for communication and convenience to become important enablers of economic participation, innovation and enterprise.
Against this backdrop, the Nigeria Smartphone Study: A Nationwide Analysis of Smartphone Ownership and Digital Application Usage provides a timely assessment of Nigeria’s evolving smartphone and mobile application ecosystem. Developed in collaboration with our research partner, the study brings together nationwide insights on smartphone ownership, application usage, consumer behaviour and emerging market trends, while examining the factors shaping digital participation across the country.
Importantly, the report recognizes that opportunities presented by increasing digital adoption are accompanied by challenges. More than a third of mobile subscribers were still on 2G as of May 2026, highlighting the continuing disparity in the depth and quality of digital access. Infrastructure limitations, affordability, gaps in digital literacy, cybersecurity concerns and other barriers will continue to influence the pace and inclusiveness of Nigeria’s digital development.
As Nigeria advances towards an increasingly digital economy, with the Information and Communication sector accounting for 11.31% of real GDP in the first quarter of 2026, a clear understanding of the evolving digital landscape will be important for businesses, telecommunications operators, technology companies, investors, entrepreneurs, policymakers and other stakeholders seeking to make informed decisions and contribute to the continued development of the ecosystem.
The next phase of Nigeria’s economic and social development will undoubtedly be influenced by how effectively digital technologies are adopted, scaled and made accessible. By examining both the opportunities and constraints within the smartphone ecosystem, this report seeks to contribute meaningfully to the broader conversation on digital transformation and its role in advancing Nigeria’s development objectives.
We trust that the insights, analysis and recommendations contained in this report will provide a valuable reference for stakeholders seeking to understand the evolving digital landscape and support sustainable and inclusive growth across Nigeria.
