Smartphone ownership in Nigeria has risen to 75 per cent, reflecting the rapid expansion of digital connectivity and changing patterns of technology use among Nigerians. The figure, contained in a recent Nigeria Smartphone Study by KPMG and Orange Group, highlights the growing importance of smartphones as the primary gateway through which millions of Nigerians access digital services, communication platforms and online opportunities.
The increase is significant for Nigeria’s digital economy, where smartphones are increasingly being used beyond conventional communication. Nigerians now depend on mobile devices for banking, payments, online shopping, education, entertainment, business promotion and access to government and other digital services. The growing penetration also provides technology companies, fintechs and digital businesses with a larger potential market for mobile based products and services.
The development, however, also draws attention to the need to address the barriers that could limit meaningful digital participation. Affordability of smartphones and data, quality of network coverage, digital skills and cybersecurity remain important considerations as more Nigerians move their economic and social activities online. Increased device ownership therefore does not automatically translate into equal access to the opportunities created by the digital economy.
For Nigeria’s technology ecosystem, the 75 per cent smartphone ownership rate presents both an opportunity and a responsibility for businesses, government and technology developers. As mobile devices become increasingly central to everyday economic activity, stakeholders will need to build services that are affordable, secure, accessible and relevant to different categories of users. The continuing expansion of smartphone adoption could therefore strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy, provided that connectivity and digital inclusion advance alongside device ownership.