By 2030, mobile’s contribution to the global economy will reach $11.3 trillion, or 8.4 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), driven by the improvements in productivity and efficiency brought about by the continued expansion of the mobile services and the growing adoption of digital technologies, such as the fifth generation (5G), Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI), according to telecom industry group, global system for mobile communication (GSAM).
The GSMA, with about 1000 members including Globacom, MTN and Airtel is a global organisation unifying the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop and deliver innovation foundational to positive business environments and societal change to unlock the full power of connectivity so that people, industry and society thrive.
According to the industry group, towards the end of the decade, mobile’s contribution is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.4per cent, three times the expected growth in global GDP for 2026-2030 (CAGR of 2.6 per cent).
‘This highlights the importance of mobile and digital technologies as key components in promoting innovation, shaping the future of the digital economy and serving as a means of development and progress for the least developed countries,’ the report entitled: The Mobile Economy 2026, noted.
It also found that the fiscal contribution of the mobile ecosystem reached $810 billion last year, noting that taxes constitute the major share of government revenues around the world.
‘In 2025, global tax revenue reached $23 trillion, an increase of 2.3per cent compared to the previous year. The biggest contribution came from HICs (high income countries) at $17 trillion, representing 23per cent of their GDP, while LMICs (low income countries) contributed almost $6 trillion, representing 14per cent of their GDP.
‘In 2025, the mobile sector made a substantial contribution to the funding of the public sector, with more than $800 billion raised through taxes on the sector. The largest contribution was from employment, taxes and social security ($270 billion).The fiscal contribution of the mobile ecosystem represented 3.5per cent of the total tax revenue,’ the GSMA noted.
Beyond its direct contribution, it added, the mobile sector can enable a more efficient collection of tax revenue by enhancing tax processes across the economy. Digital payments represent one channel for achieving this.
‘Another method involves leveraging mobile platforms for tax filing and payment. High compliance costs are a significant barrier discouraging individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from paying taxes. In response, governments are rolling out mobile apps for filing and paying taxes to reduce friction and improve compliance rates,’ the report noted.
On the contribution of 5G and its ecosystem, it said the economic impact of mobile technologies will increasingly come from the pace and depth of technology adoption among consumers and enterprises. ‘Countries equipped with advanced digital infrastructure, a highly skilled workforce and sustained investment in emerging technologies are positioned to benefit the most from 5G and AI. In contrast, developing regions are likely to experience more gradual but broad-based benefits as mobile technologies diffuse across their economies,’ according to the report.
However, the report noted that realising these gains depends on complementary policy frameworks – particularly in spectrum allocation, taxation and service-quality regulation that support ICT capital formation and enable firms to develop new digital products and services.
While mobile technologies will influence all sectors, the scale of impact will vary according to each industry’s capacity to integrate 5G, IoT and AI into production processes.
‘The economic value of digital transformation will arise from two primary channels: the creation of new revenue opportunities and business models that expand markets and generate additional demand (external value creation); and the measurable improvements in productivity, cost efficiency and operational performance within firms (internal value enhancement).
‘Between 2025 and 2030, the services and manufacturing sectors are projected to account for roughly half of all growth attributable to mobile-enabled technologies, reflecting their relatively high readiness to absorb and deploy advanced digital tools,’ the report added.