Mobile Subscriptions Statistics in Botswana (2026)

According to World Bank World Development Indicators data, mobile cellular subscriptions in Botswana came to 164 per 100 people in 2024. Down from 179 per 100 people in 2023 to 164 per 100 people in 2024. Botswana ranks #4 of 48 economies in Sub-Saharan Africa on this measure, and #21 of 210 globally.

Latest value (2024)
164 per 100 people (2024)
Mobile Subscriptions in Botswana as of 2024, the most recent observation in World Bank World Development Indicators data.
Change since 2023
−8.4% (2024)
Down from 179 per 100 people in 2023 to 164 per 100 people in 2024.
Earliest value in this dataset (1990)
0 per 100 people (1990)
Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Up from 0 per 100 people in 1990 to 164 per 100 people in 2024.
Peak value (2023)
179 per 100 people (2023)
Highest value in the available series; the 2024 value is 164 per 100 people.
Rank in Sub-Saharan Africa
#4 of 48 (2024)
Botswana ranks 4 of 48 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with data, based on each country's latest value.
Global rank
#21 of 210 (2024)
Botswana ranks 21 of 210 countries with data globally.
Sub-Saharan Africa average
96.2 per 100 people (2024)
Botswana (164 per 100 people) is above the average of 96.2 per 100 people across the 48 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with data.
Projected 2026 value
170.6 per 100 people (2026)
Projection based on 7-year trend (CAGR 2%); not an official figure.
Mobile cellular subscriptions (2024)
4.1 million (2024)
Related indicator from World Bank World Development Indicators.
Internet use in Botswana (2024)
57.5% (2024)
57.5% of the population in Botswana used the internet in 2024 (World Bank); shown for context only.
Population (2024)
2.5 million (2024)
Botswana had a population of 2.5 million in 2024 (World Bank); shown for scale only.
Mobile Subscriptions in Botswana by year (per 100 people)
Year per 100 people Change
2024 164−8.4%
2023 179+0.5%
2022 178+2.9%
2021 173+7.0%
2020 162+0.7%
2019 161+9.2%
2018 147+2.9%
2017 143−2.9%
2016 147−6.7%
2015 158+0.5%
2014 157+3.5%
2013 152+3.8%
2012 146+4.5%
2011 140+20.3%
2010 116+23.5%
2009 94.1+23.6%
2008 76.2+26.4%
2007 60.3+37.2%
2006 43.9+43.3%
2005 30.6+5.9%
2004 28.9+15.5%
2003 25.1+31.6%
2002 19−1.9%
2001 19.4+46.5%
2000 13.2+143.6%
1999 5.4+492.8%
1998 0.9
1997 0
1996 0
1995 0
1994 0
1993 0
1992 0
1991 0
1990 0
Mobile Subscriptions in Botswana, 1990–2024Line chart of 35 observations from 1990 to 2024. Values range from 0 to 179; the series starts at 0 in 1990 and ends at 164 in 2024.05010015020019902000201020240164
Fig. 1 — Mobile Subscriptions in Botswana, 1990–2024

Frequently asked questions

What is the latest figure for mobile cellular subscriptions in Botswana?

Mobile cellular subscriptions in Botswana stood at 164 per 100 people in 2024, according to World Bank World Development Indicators data.

Where does the mobile subscriptions data for Botswana come from?

The data comes from the World Bank World Development Indicators (indicator IT.CEL.SETS.P2). The latest observation for Botswana is from 2024; the snapshot was retrieved on 2026-06-10.

How has mobile subscriptions in Botswana changed over time?

World Bank World Development Indicators data show a rise from 0 per 100 people in 1990 to 164 per 100 people in 2024.

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators, indicator IT.CEL.SETS.P2, retrieved .

Figures are shown exactly as published in the source dataset; only the change column of the trend table is computed from adjacent published values.Read more on the methodology page. All figures are estimates and projections; this is not financial advice.

Last updated .