The line graph illustrates the number of telephone subscribers per 1000 people in Africa from 1994 to 2004, comparing fixed-line and mobile services.
Overall, both types of telephone subscriptions rose over the period, but mobile subscriptions grew significantly and eventually surpassed fixed-line users by a significant margin. In contrast, fixed-line usage increased slowly and remained relatively low during the decade.
In 1994, Africa had almost negligible mobile users, at just 0.06 per 1000 inhabitants, and fixed-line subscriptions started at around 1.7. While the number of fixed-line users increased slightly each year, reaching at 3.1 by 2004, the rate of growth was modest and steady.
Mobile subscriptions, however, experienced exponential growth after a slow start. The trend climbed to roughly 1 subscriber per 1000 people by 1997 and reached 3 in 2001, matching the level of fixed-line services for the first time. From that point onwards, mobile usage accelerated sharply, rose to about 5 in 2002 and doubling again at 8.8 by 2004. This surge made mobile phones the dominant means of communication by the end of the timeframe.