Mobile connectivity has changed from a "nice-to-have" for socialising into an essential tool for managing daily life. Today, over 75% of South African households access the internet through their phones, making the mobile device our most important connection to the world around us.

This is why we’re seeing such a strong surge in mobile data subscriptions, which climbed to a record 45.2-million in 2025. While there was a brief dip in numbers back in 2022, the market has since rebounded to new heights, adding millions of new connections as data becomes more affordable and accessible.

But people aren't just using this extra data for social media. It’s powering a massive shift in how we handle money. As more of us get connected, we’re seeing a huge move toward mobile and real-time payments - the ability to pay someone or a business instantly from your phone.

According to Electrum’s latest research into the future of South African payments, the convenience of instant, digital-first options is quickly replacing the need to carry cash. Whether it’s paying someone back or tapping a phone at a till, mobile data is the invisible engine making life easier and more inclusive for everyone.

To learn more about the trends shaping payments and what the future holds for South Africa, download Electrum’s latest research, South Africa's Payments Future.

- Produced by The Outlier in partnership with Electrum, the next-generation payments software company, powering payments for banks and retailers.