Should Africa really be switching off its 2G and 3G networks right now?
In many advanced markets, that question has already been answered. Operators across Europe, Asia, and North America are actively shutting down older mobile technologies to free up spectrum for faster and more efficient networks. Globally, dozens of legacy networks have already been retired, and at least 124 additional shutdowns are expected by 2030.
But Africa stands at a different point in the connectivity journey. While next generation technologies are expanding, the continent still relies heavily on earlier generations. By the end of 2024, just over half of mobile connections in Africa were still on 3G, about one third on 4G, and roughly 10 percent remained on 2G, with only about 1 percent using 5G.
So the real question is not simply whether legacy networks should be sunset. It is whether the timing is right for Africa. This #TechTalkThursday explores how legacy network sunset has become a timely issue for Africa, what is driving the shift, and what stakeholders should be preparing for over the next four to five years.
The Answer Is Yes: Legacy Networks Should Be Sunset
Africa should begin sunsetting legacy networks. Not abruptly, and not uniformly across every market, but deliberately and strategically. The reason is simple. The economics, efficiency, and future readiness of modern mobile infrastructure increasingly depend on it.
Globally, operators have already moved in this direction. The motivation is not cosmetic modernisation. It is spectrum optimisation. Older technologies occupy low-band spectrum that can deliver far greater speed, capacity, and reliability when reassigned to 4G and 5G. Keeping legacy layers active alongside newer ones increases operational costs, energy consumption, and maintenance complexity.
Africa is now approaching the same inflection point. Although the continent still relies heavily on 3G, usage patterns are shifting. 4G adoption continues to grow rapidly, smartphone penetration is rising each year, and mobile data traffic is expanding at double-digit rates across many markets. Meanwhile, 5G deployments, though still limited, are steadily increasing as operators prepare for long-term demand.
Maintaining three or four generations of network technology simultaneously is becoming technically and financially inefficient. Every additional legacy layer requires spectrum, power, spare parts, and specialised expertise. For operators working within tight margins, especially in price-sensitive markets, this is increasingly unsustainable.
This is why the industry conversation has changed. The direction of travel is therefore clear. The question is no longer whether legacy networks should be retired. It is how Africa can phase them out in a way that protects inclusion while still keeping pace with global technological progress.
Why Africa Cannot Switch Them Off Overnight
While evidence shows that legacy networks should eventually be retired, industry data and expert insight make one thing clear. The transition cannot happen suddenly. The barriers are real, structural, and widely acknowledged across the ecosystem. These realities emerge not only from market statistics but also from industry discussions, including expert perspectives shared at the Digital Africa Summit in Cape Town, where leaders from GSMA, MTN, TESPOK, and Orange MEA examined the issue alongside policy and regulatory specialists.
Technical constraints remain significant. Millions of devices across the continent still rely on 2G or 3G connectivity. Many are not compatible with VoLTE or all-IP networks, which means they cannot simply migrate to newer systems. Network refarming also requires careful spectrum planning and infrastructure upgrades, particularly in markets where coverage gaps persist.
Affordability is another critical factor. A large share of users, especially in rural and low-income communities, still depend on basic phones. Moving to 4G or 5G requires devices that support those standards, and even as smartphone prices fall, they remain out of reach for many households.
“First of all, and this is the key point, is we still have an important base of 2G and 3G smartphones in our countries. And what I’ve seen worldwide is that one of the conditions that countries have set in order to sunset the 2G or legacy network was to reduce the percentage of legacy users. And this is something that even with a global 4G coverage in our countries, we still have to follow 2G or 3G users. And the main barrier is about smartphones, as was mentioned before. And today, going to 4G smartphones is not easy and it’s not affordable for everyone. So we have to tackle this challenge.”
– Fouad Benikhlef , Regulatory Affairs Director, Orange MEA.
Service continuity must also be protected. Numerous essential services still run on legacy networks, including vehicle tracking systems, point-of-sale terminals, smart meters, and industrial IoT devices. Switching off networks without migration plans could disrupt logistics, payments, and enterprise operations.
“So we’re not just talking about smartphones. We’re also talking about point of sale devices. We’re talking about sensor networks, vehicle tracking networks, things that we don’t want to shut down in a very rapid form, and where it becomes very difficult to actually replace existing devices and networks. So we need to work.”
-Mike Silber, Group Executive Regulatory, MTN
Market realities complicate timelines. Operators must balance investment between high-capacity urban networks and broad rural coverage. Rapid shutdowns risk widening the digital divide if underserved regions lose access before alternatives are fully available.
“The challenge then is on the service providers in being able to manage dual platforms for the different technologies, to be able to provide the more urban consumer a high-end technology experience of what they expect technology to be able to do, and to still be able to get the services back to the low-level consumer who’s in the rural areas and underserved areas who needs to still benefit from getting onto the technology platforms in the first place.”
-Dr. Fiona Asonga, CEO, TESPOK
Regulatory coordination is equally vital. Clear national roadmaps, spectrum policies, and stakeholder alignment are necessary before sunset deadlines can be implemented responsibly. Without these, transitions can create uncertainty for operators, businesses, and consumers.
Taken together, these constraints explain why legacy shutdown is not a single event but a phased process. Africa’s challenge is not deciding whether to sunset older networks. It is designing a transition that is technically sound, socially inclusive, and economically realistic.
A Phased Approach: How Africa Can Sunset Legacy Networks
Sunsetting legacy networks in Africa should not be rushed. Operators and regulators are best served by a phased, deliberate approach, starting with 3G where feasible and gradually decommissioning 2G as adoption of 4G and 5G grows. Over the next four to five years, as smartphone penetration and advanced network uptake increase, the transition can accelerate without leaving users behind.
Clear communication with consumers and businesses is essential, alongside education campaigns to promote device upgrades and alternative connectivity options.
Infrastructure and investment planning must ensure coverage continuity, especially in rural areas, while addressing technical gaps like VoLTE and IoT compatibility. Risk mitigation, such as supporting device transitions and avoiding network blackspots, will be critical.
Collaboration between regulators, operators, technology providers, and adjacent industries will shape success. Flexible, technology-neutral policies and spectrum management, combined with incentives for advanced device adoption, can accelerate the transition responsibly.
“Two key takeaways: the sunset of 2G and 3G is inevitable—there is no doubt about that. However, collaboration is essential—not only between mobile operators and regulators, but also with companies in adjacent industries that rely on connectivity. They must be part of the conversation. This collaborative approach is crucial to ensure the transition is done correctly and sustainably.”
-Kenechi Okeleke, Senior Director, Regional, Social and Policy Research, GSMA
Looking ahead, 4G and 5G adoption will rise rapidly, requiring operators to act like technology innovators, leveraging AI, eSIMs, and new connectivity solutions. Policymakers can foster innovation through sandbox environments while maintaining stability. Across all markets, phased, coordinated action will ensure that Africa modernises its networks without leaving users behind, positioning the continent for a digitally inclusive and sustainable future.
