Africa’s internet divide widens amid rising connectivity demand 

Joy Agwunobi

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has revealed that despite the growing demand for digital connectivity across Africa, the continent continues to lag behind the rest of the world in internet usage.

In its latest State of Digital Development in Africa report, the ITU found that only 38 per cent of Africa’s population had access to the internet in 2024,compared to the global average of 68 per cent.

The findings highlight a persistent and widening digital divide across the continent, despite notable improvements in mobile broadband coverage and growing enthusiasm for online services.

The report notes that while Africa’s internet adoption is on an upward trajectory, fueled largely by young, urban populations, millions remain offline. Older generations, rural communities, and marginalised groups continue to be left behind due to high service costs, limited digital literacy, and inadequate infrastructure, particularly outside major cities.

Mobile networks have become the primary channel for internet access on the continent, with about 86 per cent  of the African population covered by some form of mobile broadband. However, the ITU highlighted that approximately 14 per cent  of Africans still lack any mobile service, while about 25 percent—lack any form of mobile network coverage.

Affordability remains a formidable barrier to wider internet adoption, the global telecom body noted that in 2024, the median cost of a basic mobile broadband subscription (2GB per month) accounted for 4.2 per cent of gross national income (GNI) per capita. Although this figure marks a slight improvement from 4.6 per cent  in 2023, it remains more than double the affordability benchmark of 2 per cent  set by the UN Broadband Commission—and it is the highest across all ITU-monitored regions.

According to the ITU, the median cost for fixed broadband reached 15 per cent  of GNI per capita, rendering it inaccessible to the majority of African households, particularly those in low-income brackets. These prohibitive costs continue to entrench digital inequality, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable populations.

While 70 per cent  of Africans now live within 4G coverage zones, the report observed that 16 per cent  of users still depend on outdated 3G networks, limiting their access to high-quality digital services. Meanwhile, the rollout of 5G technology remains at a nascent stage, with coverage reaching only 11 per cent  of the population—primarily concentrated in select urban hubs.

In 2024, internet usage in African cities stood at 57 per cent, compared to just 23 per cent  in rural areas—the widest urban-rural gap recorded among all ITU regions globally. This disparity is further exacerbated by uneven infrastructure investments, with telecommunications operators prioritising high-return urban centers over underserved rural communities.

The ITU stressed the urgent need for more inclusive and strategic infrastructure development to bridge this gap. It called on African governments and stakeholders to implement targeted policies that prioritise rural connectivity and ensure equitable access to digital services for all citizens.

On the regulatory front, the report acknowledges that several African countries have made significant progress in reforming their ICT governance frameworks, creating more competitive and investor-friendly environments. However, only 18 per cent  of African nations have achieved the highest standard of regulatory maturity—classified as G4 regulation—compared to a global average of 38 per cent.

This regulatory gap, the ITU warned, risks expanding the digital divide even further, as urban areas continue to attract disproportionate investments while rural regions are sidelined. The Union stressed that robust digital governance must underpin Africa’s broader digital transformation efforts.

Furthermore, the ITU called for improved cross-sector collaboration, particularly in areas such as digital identity systems, digital skills development, cybersecurity, and data protection. It emphasised that without cohesive digital strategies and stronger governance structures, Africa’s digital revolution risks leaving millions behind.

“Digital transformation cannot succeed without robust digital governance,” the report added, urging African leaders to prioritise inclusive policies and sustained investment to unlock the continent’s full digital potential.