South Africa: Mobile Phone Market 2026

Mobile Phone Market Size in South Africa

In 2025, the South African mobile phone market decreased by X% to $X, falling for the second consecutive year after three years of growth. Overall, consumption saw a abrupt curtailment. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2025, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Mobile Phone Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2025, exports of mobile phones from South Africa fell notably to X units, dropping by X% compared with 2023. Over the period under review, exports showed a abrupt slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when exports increased by X%. The exports peaked at X units in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2025, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, mobile phone exports soared to $X in 2025. In general, exports showed a perceptible decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2025, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Namibia (X units) was the main destination for mobile phone exports from South Africa, with a X% share of total exports. Moreover, mobile phone exports to Namibia exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Lesotho (X units), threefold. Swaziland (X units) ranked third in terms of total exports with a X% share.

From 2012 to 2025, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Namibia amounted to X%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Lesotho (X% per year) and Swaziland (X% per year).

In value terms, Namibia ($X) remains the key foreign market for mobile phones exports from South Africa, comprising X% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Botswana ($X), with a X% share of total exports. It was followed by the United Arab Emirates, with a X% share.

From 2012 to 2025, the average annual growth rate of value to Namibia amounted to X%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Botswana (X% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (X% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average mobile phone export price stood at $X per unit in 2025, jumping by X% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a buoyant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of X%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum in 2025 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per unit), while the average price for exports to Lesotho ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2025, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Angola (X%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Mobile Phone Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2025, supplies from abroad of mobile phones decreased by X% to X units, falling for the second consecutive year after three years of growth. In general, imports showed a abrupt setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X units in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2025, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, mobile phone imports expanded notably to $X in 2025. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2025, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2025, China (X units) was the main mobile phone supplier to South Africa, accounting for a X% share of total imports. Moreover, mobile phone imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Vietnam (X units), more than tenfold. India (X units) ranked third in terms of total imports with a X% share.

From 2012 to 2025, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from China amounted to X%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Vietnam (X% per year) and India (X% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of mobile phones to South Africa, comprising X% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Vietnam ($X), with a X% share of total imports. It was followed by India, with a X% share.

From 2012 to 2025, the average annual growth rate of value from China stood at X%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Vietnam (X% per year) and India (X% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2025, the average mobile phone import price amounted to $X per unit, jumping by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price posted a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs in 2025 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2025, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Vietnam ($X thousand per unit), while the price for Hong Kong SAR ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2025, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by India (X%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

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