Nearly 1 billion Africans lack internet connectivity, Nigeria leads in usage

A recent analysis by Frost & Sullivan consultant, Sarah Slabbert, reveals that over 900 million people in Africa lack internet connectivity, highlighting a significant digital divide on the continent.

Slabbert noted that only 36 percent of Africa’s 1.5 billion people had internet access as of 2022, emphasizing the need for urgent action to prevent digital exclusion.

“Approximately 1.5 billion people call Africa home, meaning over 900 million people are not connected to the internet, which is mind-blowing,” she said on Friday.

This lack of connectivity means millions of Africans lack access to essential digital services, including smartphones, Google, and GPS systems.

Slabbert highlighted the disparity within the continent, pointing out that while countries like Morocco, the Seychelles, and South Africa have internet penetration rates exceeding 75 percent, many other regions lag far behind.

Morocco leads with a 90.7 percent internet penetration rate, meaning less than four million out of its 38 million people are without internet access.

Conversely, Nigeria, despite having the highest number of internet users at 103 million, still had less than half its 229 million population connected.

This disparity significantly impacts the lives and futures of the respective populations.Regarding smartphone use, Android devices dominate the African market due to their lower cost and wider range of choices compared to Apple’s iPhones.

In 2023, Android held an 85.6 percent market share in Africa, while Apple controlled only 13.3 percent.

Slabbert stressed the importance of addressing the broader issue of limited internet access, suggesting that forming public-private partnerships (PPPs) and implementing effective policies to roll out infrastructure could significantly improve connectivity.

“Securing Africa’s place in the digital ecosystem and avoiding digital exclusion should be a top priority for the region,” she stated.

Slabbert noted that achieving widespread internet penetration could unlock new opportunities for currently excluded African businesses and creators, helping the continent maintain relevance and participation in the global market.

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