Telecom
GSMA Report Reveals How Cybersecurity and Revenue Growth are Driving Enterprise Digital Transformation

A new report from GSMA Intelligence (GSMAi) shows that enterprises are focusing more on improving cybersecurity and boosting revenue rather than cutting costs, as they speed up their digital transformation.
The research, “The rise of digital industries: navigating enterprise needs, investments and supplier decisions” reveals that 60% of businesses prioritise revenue growth, customer experience, and competitive positioning over cost-related goals for their digital transformation.
Investment in digital technologies is projected to increase substantially over the next six years to meet business needs, with organisations surveyed planning to allocate 9% of enterprise revenue during 2024–2026, growing to 11% during 2027–2030.
Focus on 5G and AI
85% of enterprises see 5G networks and connectivity as important, with almost half marking them as extremely important, for their digital transformation success. Enterprises plan to spend 21% of their digital transformation budgets on connectivity and associated devices, 13% on mobile (including 5G), and 8% on fixed and Wi-Fi networks. Enhanced security (57%) and connectivity (52%) are the top 5G features they value most and investment in 5G between 2024 and 2030 is projected to be 2.5 times more than in 4G, especially in high mobility sectors such as automotive, transportation, logistics and warehousing.
AI is also a significant factor, making up 14% of enterprise technology expenditures, implemented to elevate customer experiences, strengthen security protocols and increase productivity among employees. Generative AI has swiftly gained importance in the digital strategy of companies, with 90% of them incorporating it, but only 33% are utilising it in advanced ways, indicating potential for further development.
IoT adoption is progressing, with businesses transitioning to more advanced use of IoT technology, including greater use of 5G. Moreover, enterprises show high interest in using eSIM for their IoT deployments, due to its scalability and enhanced security features. Enterprises expect eSIM to account for 42% of the total IoT cellular market by 2030.
Enterprise wants full stack suppliers
As enterprises accelerate their digital transformation journeys, they are opting to work with a broad range of suppliers to meet their technology needs. The research shows a preference for generalist suppliers – such as hyperscalers and telecoms network/equipment vendors – that offer nearly full-stack solutions.
Pablo Iacopino, Head of Research at GSMAi, said: “Enterprises of all sizes are eager to advance their digital transformation and are making the necessary investment. As a result, supplier competition is fierce.
“Telcos need to go beyond just providing network services since enterprises are increasingly looking for partners who can help them throughout their full digital transformation journeys, combining technologies such as 5G, AI, IoT and cloud to improve efficiency, security and drive revenues.
“The cost of implementation and complexity of tech integration are the top two deployment challenges faced by enterprises. This means the role of tech orchestrator will become even more important, and demanded in the future, which presents new opportunities for multi-service suppliers.”
Financial services leads in AI; automotive and mobility push 5G
The report highlights the vertical sectors driving digital transformation each with different priorities and technology investments:
- Financial services: 92% are already using generative AI technology, and they lead in both wider AI adoption (92%) and spending on digital transformation (10.4% of revenue).
- Media and entertainment: This sector leads in revenue growth as a top digital transformation objective, with 65% citing it as an extremely important objective. Also, 91% of media and entertainment enterprises are already using generative AI.
- Utilities and energy: 51% of utility and energy enterprises are making advanced use of cloud technology—the highest of all sectors. 37% are prioritising generative AI for their financial spending through 2026 and allocating 16% of their digital transformation budgets to AI in the longer term.
- Manufacturing and industrial: 33% of manufacturing enterprises identify a lack of internal expertise as a key challenge to AI deployment, the highest across all sectors. Manufacturing ranks high in its focus on cybersecurity, with 55% of enterprises making advanced use of these technologies.
- Transportation, logistics and warehousing: This sector shows strong engagement with AI, including working with MNOs for AI solutions in any forms. This sector also stands out for its focus on IoT, with 36% of enterprises making advanced use of IoT technologies.
- Healthcare: Healthcare enterprises allocate 14% of their digital transformation budgets to AI, and 41% of enterprises cite cybersecurity as one of their top five areas of financial spending over the next few years.
- Automotive and mobility: This sector leads in terms of its focus on 5G, with 54% of enterprises rating 5G as extremely important to digital transformation.
- Retail: 63% of retailers prioritise revenue growth as an extremely important digital transformation objective. They are also quickly adopting generative AI, with 87% using the technology and 34% making advanced use of it.
- Public sector: The public sector is investing heavily in digital transformation, allocating 10.1% of its revenues to these initiatives.
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing: This sector shows the lowest digital transformation score overall, leaving potential for improvement in areas such as IoT, AI and 5G.
To explore the full findings and insights from the Global Digital Transformation Survey 2024, full access to the report and dashboard can be found here.
In addition, there is a GSMAi webinar on 3 December (10:30am – 11:30am GMT) where Pablo Iacopino and Christina Patsioura, IoT and Enterprise Research Lead Analyst from GSMAi, will explore the key findings and insights from the survey research, and their implications.
Telecom
Tarana, Microsoft Enhance Africa’s Broadband Connectivity

Tarana, provider of next-generation fixed wireless access (ngFWA) broadband technology, is collaborating with Microsoft to expand internet access in rural and underserved communities across Africa.
Together, the companies will help service providers in rural and underserved Africa deploy government-approved telecom equipment, along with training and technical support.
This comes as access to secure; affordable telecom equipment remains a major barrier to internet connectivity in Africa. Despite progress, high infrastructure costs and limited rural coverage have allowed the digital divide to persist.
Tarana stated that in some areas, fewer than 30% of people have dependable internet connectivity.
To that end, it said its collaboration with Microsoft will help reduce the cost of ngFWA equipment for African internet service providers while also assisting with deployment logistics, enabling them to give internet access more faster and more cost-effectively.
The company went on to say overcoming two primary limitations of traditional fixed wireless access) technology, ngFWA delivers high-speed broadband service in both non-line-of-sight conditions and heavy radio interference, making it an ideal solution for hard-to-reach and underserved markets.
More than 250 operators worldwide are deploying ngFWA to deliver better broadband more efficiently, said the company.
Basil Alwan, CEO of Tarana, added: “We look forward to making significant progress on the digital divide together.”
“Access to affordable, secure broadband infrastructure is essential for unlocking economic opportunity through digital access across Africa,” said Vickie Robinson, general manager, energy, connectivity, and sustainability at Microsoft. “By working with Tarana, we’re helping local operators overcome cost and deployment barriers so they can bring high-speed connectivity to the communities that need it most.”
Telecom
Mobile Industry Emissions Down 8%, But Pace Must Double to Hit Net Zero

The mobile industry’s operational emissions fell by 8% between 2019 and 2023, even as mobile connections grew by 9% and data traffic quadrupled, according to the GSMA’s fifth annual Mobile Net Zero report released this week.
The findings show the mobile industry has successfully started to decouple emissions from data and connectivity growth – a stark contrast to global emissions, which have increased 4% since 2019. However, to continue progress and reach net zero by 2050, emissions must fall by 7.5% annually until 2030 – more than twice the average annual rate achieved to date.
Key findings from the report include:
- Preliminary 2024 data suggests a further 4.5% drop in emissions – an acceleration on previous years, but still short of the 7.5% annual reduction needed to 2030.
- 37% of electricity used by operators disclosing to CDP came from renewables in 2023, up from 13% in 2019 – avoiding 16 million tonnes of emissions.
- 81 mobile operators (covering nearly half of global connections) have set or committed to science-based targets.
- The GSMA Climate Action Taskforce now includes 77 operators, covering 80% of mobile connections worldwide.
- Europe (-56%), North America (-44%), and Latin America (-36%) lead the way in operational emissions reductions between 2019 and 2023.
- New analysis of China shows operational emissions likely fell by 4% in 2024 – the first decline after a 7% rise between 2019–2023 – alongside a more than quadrupling of renewable energy use.
Global, collaborative climate action gathers pace
The acceleration in decarbonisation is driven by operator actions to improve network energy efficiency and transition to clean energy, including solar and battery storage. Many operators are phasing out less efficient legacy networks and reducing their reliance on diesel generators.
Some markets are seeing better renewable electricity access through policy support and market reform, but the GSMA warns that the accelerated reductions needed by 2030 will require greater access across more markets.
Regional momentum is building globally, with Europe and the Americas leading emissions reductions, while Asia and Africa show increasing engagement. China, representing the world’s largest mobile market with more than one billion 5G connections, shows promising progress in 2024.
New analysis published today to frame discussions at MWC25 Shanghai indicates China’s operational emissions declined for the first time in 2024, with preliminary data showing a 4% reduction year-on-year driven by a more than quadrupling in renewable energy use by operators. As the industry’s largest single market, China’s progress is instrumental in achieving global net zero targets.
Steven Moore, Head of Climate Action at the GSMA comments: “Our findings show the mobile industry isn’t greenwashing or greenwishing – it’s green acting. Emissions are trending in the right direction, but the pace of progress must now double.
“This is a global effort, and it’s encouraging to see momentum building across every region – from Latin America to Europe and especially to China.
“But to sustain this progress, we need broader support: better access to renewables, more policy certainty, and stronger collaboration across the ecosystem. Supply chain emissions, which make up most of our industry’s footprint, must also be addressed – and climate transition plans will play an increasingly important role in navigating what comes next.”
Focus on Scope 3 and circularity sharpens
The report emphasises that Scope 3 emissions – mostly from supply chains and manufacturing – account for more than two-thirds of the industry’s total carbon footprint and require attention. While transparency is improving, Scope 3 emissions remain a blind spot compared with operational emissions (Scopes 1 and 2), making them a critical challenge for operators with science-based targets, which require reductions across full value chain emissions.
Additionally, the report points to growing momentum around circular economy initiatives. Consumer appetite for sustainable devices is rising, with around 90% of users surveyed by GSMA saying they value longevity and repairability, and nearly half considering refurbished for their next phone purchase.
Buying refurbished instead of new can save consumers money and reduce environmental impacts from manufacturing, with refurbished phones generating 80-90% fewer emissions than new ones. While new device sales have slowed in recent years, the second-hand device market is growing rapidly, and projected to be worth $150 billion by 2027.
Many leading operators are now developing climate transition plans to assess climate risks and map out credible, long-term strategies toward net zero. These plans are expected to become a key focus of the GSMA’s Climate Action Programme over the coming year.
Telecom
MTN’s Ikenna Ikeme Urges Responsible AI Use @Pan African Data Policy Conference

The use of local content in Artificial Intelligence systems is essential for delivering accurate, region-specific results, according to MTN Nigeria’s General Manager for Regulatory Affairs, Ikenna Ikeme.
He shared this perspective at the recently held Network of African Data Protection Authorities (NADPA) Conference, held in Abuja recently.
The conference convened industry leaders, policymakers, and experts to discuss the role of data and AI in shaping Africa’s future. Key discussions focused on balancing innovation with risk, safeguarding data in AI systems, promoting responsible data use, and enabling cross-border data flows.
During a panel on “Data Governance for Responsible and Beneficial Use of AI,” Ikeme highlighted data’s dual nature. “Data can be transformational by bringing efficiency to businesses, but it also presents risks, ranging from privacy to investment,” he stated. He warned against relying too much on external data.
Adewale Adene, Google’s Government Affairs and Public Policy Manager, also spoke at the session. Adene projected AI and data governance could add $30 trillion to Africa’s economy by 2030. “All relevant authorities and stakeholders must ensure Africa is positioned to capitalise on this new economy,” he urged.
Other panelists included Nonye Ujam, Government Affairs Lead at Microsoft; Ololade Shyllon, Director of Privacy Policy for Africa, the Middle East, and Turkey at Meta; Oliver Patel, Head of Enterprise AI Governance at AstraZeneca (who joined remotely); Femi Daniel, Senior Counsel, Privacy and Data Protection at Mastercard; and Adewolu Adene, Government Affairs and Public Policy Manager at Google.
The conference stressed the urgent need for African stakeholders to create strategic policies. These policies should support both growth and safety.
Participants called for collaboration, investment in local data infrastructure, and strong legal frameworks. This is to ensure AI technologies are developed and used responsibly.
The NADPA Conference served as a timely call to action. It urged governments, companies, and regulators to prioritise trust and transparency. Homegrown solutions are key in shaping Africa’s digital destiny, the conference concluded.
- Telecom2 days ago
ALTON Clarifies on Migration to End-User Billing for USSD Services
- News3 days ago
Digital Africa Global Consult, NDPC Partner on Ground-Breaking “Nigeria Data Challenge” Initiative
- E-Financial2 days ago
Nigerian Stock Market Suffers ₦183 Billion Loss Amid Profit-Taking
- News2 days ago
DStv Rewards Loyal Customers with Free Package Upgrades
- Telecom2 days ago
Lagos Future Conference 2025: Stakeholders Call for Digital Responsibility and Grassroots Innovation
- General News2 days ago
African Parliamentarians Seek Answers from Telcos on Quality of Service
- News1 day ago
Lasaco Assurance to Invest in Technologies, Systems to Deliver Value to Clients
- E-Financial2 days ago
SEC Working on Stablecoin Regulation Framework