Number Of Smartphone Users In Nigeria (A detail Analysis)

One of the most important things for companies and investors who are seeking opportunities in this dynamic region is to have a solid understanding of the number of smartphone users in Nigeria, the factors that are contributing to the growth, and the changing landscape of the industry.

The most populous and powerful economy in Africa, Nigeria, is seeing a spike in the use of smartphones. A young, tech-savvy population, rising internet affordability, and a growing demand for mobile apps are just a few of the reasons propelling this digital transformation.

check also: Facts About Nigerians And Cryptocurrency (Statistics, Facts & Usage Trends)

How Many Smartphone Users Do We Have In Nigeria?

The number of people in Nigeria who own smartphones is estimated to be somewhere between 25 and 40 million, as stated by Statista.

It has been disclosed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) that Nigeria had a ranking of seventh in the world in terms of the usage of mobile phones and eleventh in terms of the penetration of the internet.

The population of Nigeria is estimated to be 228,235,234, according to the analysis of the most recent United Nations Population Development Report. Nigeria has remained the biggest economy and most populous country in West Africa.

The number of smartphone users in Nigeria is forecast to grow to more than 140 million by 2025, according to Statista.

Smartphone Penetration Set To Rise In Nigeria

The fast growth of Nigeria’s economy and people will also affect the growth of the country’s mobile market.

In Nigeria, there are about 170 million cell phone subscribers. But only about 10 to 20 percent of people out of this population use smartphones right now.

The percentage of people who own smartphones is expected to increase to approximately sixty percent by the year 2025, which will create significant prospects for growth for producers of both feature phones and smartphones.

Number of mobile cellular subscriptions in Nigeria

There were 224,412,931 mobile cellular subscriptions in Nigeria in 2023, which is an increase from the previous year’s total of 222,225,300 subscriptions in 2022 according to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

The National Communications Commission (NCC) records indicate that MTN remains the most dominant telecom provider, boasting 92.71 million mobile subscriptions.

Globacom, Airtel, and 9mobile follow closely behind with 60.76 million, 60.30 million, and 13.07 million, respectively.

The number of active telephone connections per 100 people residing in an area is referred to as teledensity, and according to the National Communications Commission (NCC), teledensity increased to 119.01 percent in February.

Teledensity Data for 2023

bar chart of teledensity

Teledensity is an index that was recommended by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) for the purpose of measuring the level of telephone penetration in a population by a factor of one line for every 100 people in the population.

User Demographics and Usage Patterns of Smartphone Users In Nigeria

There has been a shift in the characteristics of the typical smartphone user in Nigeria. In spite of the fact that higher smartphone penetration rates are found in big cities such as Lagos and Abuja, the gap between urban and rural areas is getting smaller. A breakdown of the demographics of users is as follows:

  • Age: Young adults between the ages of 18 and 34 are the population that uses smartphones the most frequently, followed by teenagers and young professionals.
  • Gender: In terms of gender, the gender gap in smartphone ownership is narrowing as an increasing number of women are adopting mobile technology.
  • Income: Affordability is still a factor, but the growing availability of cheaper smartphones is making it possible for people with lesser incomes to acquire smartphones.

Having a good understanding of how Nigerians use their smartphones is important. Among the most popular activities are:

  1. Social Media: Platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are examples of social media platforms that are widely used for communication, entertainment, and the consumption of recent news.
  2. Mobile money: increasing numbers of people are using mobile platforms to conduct financial transactions, such as M-Pesa and Paga, which are helping to expand access to financial services.
  3. E-commerce: The practice of purchasing online is growing in popularity as more and more people access online marketplaces and conveniently make purchases.
  4. Mobile banking: Banking applications are gaining popularity as a means of managing one’s finances and carrying out transactions.
  5. Instructional Resources: The availability of online learning platforms and instructional content is enhancing the opportunities available for education.

What is the most popular phone brand in Nigeria?

The days of low-income people being unable to buy smartphones are over. With Chinese companies racing to create affordable smartphones that can compete with the likes of the iPhone and Galaxy, there are now dozens of mobile phone brands to choose from.

A study from John’s Phones says that the most popular smartphone brand in Nigeria is Tecno Mobile, which has 26.49% of the market.

Infinix comes in second with 20.80%, and Samsung comes in third with 11.99%. Itel Mobile is also owned by Transsion Holdings, which also owns Tecno and Infinix.

Factors Influencing Smartphone Growth in Nigeria

Nigeria’s smartphone market is growing at an extremely fast rate due to some factors, including

Young and Tech-Savvy Population

A large part of Nigeria’s population is between the ages of 18 and 34, making it a young and tech-savvy generation.

This group is naturally interested in technology and quickly picks up smartphones to communicate, use social media, and have fun.

Increasing Internet Access

Building up mobile internet networks is very important for getting people to buy smartphones.

Putting money into 3G and 4G and the newly launched 5G networks is making internet connections faster and more stable.

4G and 5G networks make smartphones a more useful tool with faster and more accessible internet access.

Affordability

Chinese brands like Tecno, Infinix, and Xiaomi are making more smartphones that are affordable, which means that more people can easily purchase these devices.

In a country with a country where the cost of living is very high, this price factor is very important.

Mobile Banking and Fintech

The popularity of mobile banking and financial technology (fintech) apps is making more people want to buy smartphones.

Nigerians are using their phones more and more to do things like shop online, send money, and access financial services.

To do all of these things, they need a smartphone.

Social Media Boom:

Nigeria is a social media giant with huge numbers of users on Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram.

Smartphones make it easy to access these platforms, which encourages sharing of information and socializing.

All of these factors make Nigeria a great place for smartphones to spread, which will lead to a more digitally connected society.

Socioeconomic Impact of Smartphones in Nigeria

The rise of smartphones in Nigeria is more than just a matter of numbers. A lot of different parts of the country’s social and economic life are being transformed by these devices:

Entrepreneurship and online shopping

Smartphones give Nigerians the tools they need to start their businesses.

They make it easier for people to do business online, use marketplaces, and sell on their phones, which helps the e-commerce ecosystem grow.

Learning and Education

Smartphones give you access to learning materials and websites where you can learn online.

Using Smartphones can fill in the gaps in standard school systems and give people the tools they need to learn new things and improve their skills.

Financial inclusion

People who didn’t have bank accounts before can now use mobile banking and digital wallets on their smartphones to access financial services.

Smartphones help more people get access to money and give people the tools they need to handle their money better.

Access to Health Care and Information

Smartphones give you instant access to health information and tools.

People can easily look up information about medical conditions, get in touch with healthcare workers, and get health information.

Social Change and Civic Engagement

 Smartphone social networks are growing into strong tools for social change and civic participation.

Nigerians are using these sites to bring attention to social problems, work for change, and take part in the political process.

Smartphones have many effects in Nigeria.

They help the economy grow, make it easier to get information and services, and make people more linked and knowledgeable.

The Future of Smartphones in Nigeria

Indeed, there is a bright future ahead for smartphones in Nigeria.

The nation is well-positioned to experience a substantial increase in the number of people who own smartphones as a result of ongoing economic expansion, the enhancement of infrastructure, and the growth of digital literacy.

In light of this, firms, entrepreneurs, and governments have the opportunity to take advantage of this dynamic market and unlock its revolutionary potential, which comes with exciting possibilities.

The following are some possible tendencies for the future:

Emergence of 5G Technology: 

The introduction of 5G networks will bring about a revolution in the speeds of mobile internet, which will make it possible to develop new apps and services.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Integration:

Features powered by AI that are integrated into smartphones will boost functions and personalize user experiences at the same time.

Expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT):

The combination of smartphones and other Internet of Things devices will result in the creation of more intelligent households, connected cities, and new apps.

The Role of Smartphones in Nigeria’s Economic Transformation

Smartphones are extremely strong technologies that are driving economic development in Nigeria.

They are not only communication gadgets. Some of these roles played by Smartphones are:

Entrepreneurship and Innovation:

Consumers can now become entrepreneurs because of the proliferation of smartphones.

Individuals can use online marketplaces in order to sell goods and services, make use of mobile payment platforms in order to conduct transactions and use social media in order to market their products and services.

Growth of the Gig Economy: 

These platforms, which connect service providers with customers (for example, ride-hailing applications and delivery services), rely on the usage of smartphones, which in turn creates options for flexible work and contributes to the gross domestic

SMBs

 SMBs may exploit smartphones for cost-effective marketing, customer engagement, and mobile commerce, which allows them to reach a wider audience and significantly increase sales.

This is a boost for small and medium-sized businesses

Improved Agricultural Practices:

Farmers now have access to information on weather patterns, market prices, and best practices through their smartphones, which has led to an increase in both their efficiency and productivity in accordance with agricultural practices.

Enhanced Financial Services: 

People are given the ability to engage in the formal economy through the use of mobile banking and financial inclusion, which makes it easier for them to save money, make investments, and gain access to credit cards.

Conclusion – Number Of Smartphone Users In Nigeria (A detail Analysis)

Nigerians are getting more and more smartphone users, and this trend doesn’t look like it will stop any time soon. This shift to digital technology opens up exciting opportunities for economic growth, social progress, and personal freedom.

Nigeria can be a star in the mobile-driven future if it deals with the problems that are already there and uses its huge potential.

From the number of smartphone users in Nigeria, as presented above, you can see that Nigeria is on the right path to becoming one of the countries with the highest number of smartphone users in the world.