Authorities in Cape Verde have unveiled a national roadmap for the deployment of fifth-generation (5G) mobile technology, outlining a phased strategy aimed at supporting digital transformation and accelerating the country’s push toward high-income status.
The government officially presented the 5G implementation strategy describing it as a structured and realistic plan adapted to the archipelago’s geographic fragmentation, population distribution and existing telecommunications infrastructure.
In an official statement, authorities said the roadmap establishes a “clear and progressive vision” for 5G deployment. The rollout will begin with a 5G Non-Standalone (NSA) model, which relies on the country’s existing 4G infrastructure. Officials said this approach would allow mobile operators to reduce initial capital expenditure while ensuring a faster introduction of 5G services.
The government said deployment would be carried out gradually and responsibly, taking into account technical readiness, market demand and socio-economic impact. The NSA model is expected to serve as a transitional phase before a future shift to a full 5G Standalone network, which requires more extensive infrastructure investment.
As part of the roadmap, authorities plan to launch targeted pilot projects focused on priority use cases. These projects will test 5G-enabled solutions in real-life conditions and assess how the technology can deliver value across key sectors of the economy.
“These pilot projects will demonstrate the value of 5G, stimulate innovation and generate concrete data on the economic, social and territorial impacts of the technology,” the statement said. Officials added that lessons from the pilots would guide the gradual expansion of the network and help fine-tune public policies related to digital development.
Cape Verde’s move comes amid growing interest in next-generation mobile technology across Africa, where governments increasingly view 5G as a catalyst for digitalisation, productivity gains and economic diversification.
According to data compiled by Agence Ecofin, by mid-2025 a total of 48 mobile operators in 21 African countries were offering 5G services. However, coverage remains uneven, with most deployments concentrated in large urban centres and high-income market segments.
Policymakers argue that 5G’s technical advantages including significantly higher data speeds, lower latency, improved reliability and the ability to connect large numbers of devices simultaneously can support advanced digital applications. These include smart public services, telemedicine, distance learning, connected tourism services and data-driven agriculture.
Cape Verde has placed digital development at the heart of its long-term growth strategy. The government aims to transform the country into a “digital nation” capable of accelerating economic growth and achieving high-income status within the next decade.
Authorities plan to integrate information and communication technologies across a wide range of sectors, including education, health, tourism, public administration, trade, agriculture and the blue economy. Officials say improved connectivity will be critical to boosting efficiency, innovation and service delivery in these areas.
Currently, the ICT sector contributes about 5 percent to Cape Verde’s gross domestic product. The government expects the share to rise gradually as digital services expand and as new business models emerge around advanced connectivity and data-driven solutions.
Despite its potential benefits, 5G deployment presents significant financial challenges. A 2022 study by Ericsson estimated that the base cost of deploying 5G in a country ranges between US$3 billion and $8 billion, with operators needing to invest an additional 20 to 35 percent to extend coverage nationwide.
For a small island economy with limited fiscal space, these cost estimates highlight the importance of phased deployment, infrastructure sharing and regulatory frameworks that encourage private investment while managing risk.
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Beyond infrastructure, authorities must also address adoption barriers. Consumers face constraints including the cost of 5G-compatible smartphones, the affordability of data plans, levels of digital literacy and perceptions of the relevance of 5G-enabled services to everyday needs.
Government officials acknowledged that infrastructure investment alone would not guarantee success. They stressed the need for complementary policies to improve digital skills, support innovation and ensure that new technologies translate into tangible benefits for households, businesses and public services.
While no detailed timeline for nationwide 5G coverage has been announced, authorities said the roadmap represents a critical milestone in Cape Verde’s digital journey and positions the country to take advantage of emerging technologies as Africa’s 5G landscape continues to evolve.
Chad remains at an early stage in the adoption of fifth-generation (5G) mobile technology, reflecting broader structural challenges in its telecommunications and digital infrastructure.
The country’s telecoms market is still largely dominated by second- and third-generation services, with fourth-generation (4G/LTE) coverage limited mainly to major urban centres such as N’Djamena. Mobile internet penetration remains low compared with regional averages, constrained by high service costs, limited network reach and low smartphone ownership.
Chad’s digital development strategy has historically focused on expanding basic connectivity rather than introducing next-generation technologies. Authorities have prioritised extending 2G and 3G networks to improve voice coverage and basic data access, particularly in rural and remote areas where infrastructure gaps remain significant.
The regulatory framework for advanced mobile technologies is overseen by the telecoms regulator, Autorité de Régulation des Communications Électroniques et des Postes (ARCEP). While the regulator has taken steps to modernise spectrum management and improve sector governance, Chad has not yet announced a formal national roadmap or timeline for commercial 5G deployment.
Interest in 5G has been influenced by developments elsewhere on the continent. Several African countries, including South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya, have launched commercial 5G services in recent years, prompting policymakers in Chad to monitor the technology’s potential economic and social impact. However, the high cost of deployment and limited market readiness have so far delayed concrete plans.
Chad’s telecoms sector faces persistent challenges, including underinvestment, weak backbone infrastructure, high energy costs and limited fibre-optic coverage. These constraints increase the cost of operating mobile networks and reduce the commercial viability of capital-intensive technologies such as 5G.
The government has nonetheless expressed broader ambitions to leverage digital technologies to support economic diversification, public administration reform and service delivery in areas such as education and health. In this context, 5G is often discussed as a longer-term objective rather than an immediate priority.
International development partners and regional initiatives have played a role in supporting Chad’s digital infrastructure, particularly through fibre-optic links and regional connectivity projects. Such investments are seen as prerequisites for any future 5G rollout, alongside improvements in electricity supply and data centre capacity.
Beyond infrastructure, adoption challenges remain significant. Low purchasing power limits demand for 5G-compatible devices, while digital skills gaps and affordability concerns continue to shape consumer behaviour. Policymakers have acknowledged that improving access to basic broadband services is a necessary foundation before advanced technologies can deliver meaningful impact.
For now, Chad’s approach to 5G remains cautious and incremental. Authorities are expected to focus on strengthening existing networks and regulatory capacity in the near term, while assessing the conditions under which next-generation mobile technology could eventually be introduced as part of a broader digital transformation agenda.
