Rwanda has approved a phased strategy to sunset its 2G and 3G mobile networks, paving the way for a national transition to 4G and 5G.
Under the roadmap, 3G services will be switched off nationwide on 30 June 2027, while 2G is provisionally set for retirement in December 2028.
The move reflects a broader trend across Africa, where operators are reallocating spectrum from legacy networks to support faster data services and rising demand for mobile broadband.
Maintaining four generations of mobile technology has become costly and inefficient, placing pressure on spectrum and network resources.
The Ministry of ICT and Innovation (MINICT) said decommissioning 2G and 3G will free up spectrum for 4G and 5G, enabling faster connections, greater capacity and improved security.
ITWeb Africa has reported that several African markets are exploring similar shutdowns, though progress is uneven due to device costs and reliance on USSD.
The final 2G switch-off date will depend on the outcome of the 3G transition, including assessments of coverage, service continuity and national readiness.
Authorities will also assess the number of active legacy devices and the migration of systems still dependent on older networks.
A government study found that without intervention, more than two million people could remain on 2G networks by 2030, largely due to the cost of 4G-enabled devices.
To address this, the plan includes measures to improve access to affordable smartphones and prevent digital exclusion.
According to the GSMA, mobile technologies and services contributed $240 billion to Africa’s economy in 2025, equivalent to 7.8 percent of GDP, and are expected to reach $290 billion by 2030.
Despite widespread coverage, nearly one billion people in Africa are not using mobile internet, representing 63 per cent of the population.
“The government will only proceed with the 3G switch-off once the necessary conditions have been met,” MINICT said.
To support the transition, MINICT, the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority and mobile operators will monitor key performance indicators nationwide.
These include 4G coverage, call quality, voice over LTE reliability and continuity of services such as SMS, mobile money and digital payments.
Authorities will also oversee the migration of services reliant on USSD, replacement of connected devices such as utility meters and trackers, availability of affordable 4G handsets and customer support systems.
“The government will provide updates as the process progresses and review the outcome of the 3G switch-off before confirming the final timetable for retiring 2G,” the ministry said.
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