Tunisia and Egypt Spearhead North Africa’s 5G Expansion
▼ Summary
– Tunisia launched 5G in February 2025 using 700 MHz and 3500 MHz spectrum through three operators, achieving download speeds above 300 Mbps and low latency.
– Egypt activated 5G in June 2025 on 2500 MHz spectrum via four operators, doubling mobile download speeds to 82.49 Mbps and improving its global ranking.
– Algeria and Morocco are preparing to launch 5G by the end of 2025, with Algeria focusing on pilot provinces and Morocco targeting high coverage for major sporting events.
– Fixed wireless access adoption in Tunisia and Egypt is limited by high equipment costs and pricing comparable to existing fiber and VDSL services.
– 5G is expected to transform North Africa by enabling innovation across sectors like agriculture and smart cities, strengthening its role as an emerging digital economy.
North Africa is rapidly embracing the next generation of mobile connectivity, with Tunisia and Egypt leading the charge in 5G deployment across the region. These technological advancements are setting new standards for speed, reliability, and economic potential, marking a significant leap forward in the continent’s digital transformation journey.
Tunisia made history in February 2025 by becoming the first North African nation to roll out commercial 5G services. Utilizing both 700 MHz and 3500 MHz spectrum bands, the country’s three major operators, Tunisie Telecom, Orange Tunisie, and Ooredoo Tunisie, spearheaded the launch. Initial performance was remarkable, with download speeds surpassing 300 Mbps and latency dropping below 12 milliseconds. As user adoption grew, speeds stabilized around 200 Mbps, still placing Tunisia at the forefront of the region’s connectivity rankings.
Not far behind, Egypt activated its own 5G networks in June of the same year. Operating on the 2500 MHz band, the service was introduced by four providers: Telecom Egypt, e& Egypt, Orange, and Vodafone. Vodafone alone established 2,000 sites across the country, with initial coverage focused on major urban centers like Cairo and Alexandria. The impact was immediate, Egypt’s average mobile download speeds more than doubled to 82.49 Mbps, catapulting the nation 17 positions up the global Speedtest Index to 69th place. To encourage uptake, operators waived activation fees and offered promotional discounts rather than introducing new tariff plans, with real-world speeds regularly exceeding 100 Mbps.
Looking ahead, Algeria and Morocco are poised to join the 5G landscape before the close of 2025. Algeria plans a phased rollout beginning in eight provinces, including Algiers and Oran, capitalizing on the fact that nearly 70% of smartphones in the country are already 5G-capable. Meanwhile, Morocco is leveraging high-profile events like the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 FIFA World Cup to accelerate its infrastructure development. The country’s Digital Morocco 2030 strategy outlines clear targets: 45% coverage by 2026 and 85% by the end of the decade.
Although fixed wireless access (FWA) has been introduced in both Tunisia and Egypt, its adoption remains modest due to the high cost of equipment and competitive pricing from existing fiber and VDSL services. Despite these hurdles, the widespread implementation of 5G is anticipated to drive substantial innovation across multiple sectors. From precision agriculture and efficient logistics to smart city applications and enhanced digital services, the technology is set to redefine how businesses and communities operate. With continued investment and forward-thinking policies, North Africa is strengthening its position as an influential digital economy within the broader MENA region.
(Source: MEA Tech Watch)
