Superfast fifth generation mobile internet is being launched in many countries right now and it promises faster data down- and upload speeds as well as more stable connections and wider coverage. On your cell phone, those jerky video calls will become clear; mobile games and videos will have less delay and that wearable on your wrist could enable connections supplying real time health metrics. 5G promises to change lives on the African continent and being the "key in driving economic development." In South Africa, 5G is now live in parts of Johannesburg where it has been launched by Rain in partnership with Huawei. To be able to use it, you will have to get a brand spanking new 5G phone and this is where the Wall Street Journal reports that the more sophisticated and expensive phone required, could be a problem for the vision to roll 5G out all over Africa. Although the adoption of cell phones in Africa is widespread; MTN figures show that 80% of their 240 million subscribers in Africa and the Middle East, still operate on 3G and have feature phones, which means they do not have internet access. It has prompted telecom operators on the continent to suggest that customers should first adopt 4G before "sinking billions of dollars into new 5G technology." – Linda van Tilburg

In the race for 5G, Africa lags far behind