Joy Agwunobi
Billions of people around the world remain on the sidelines of the mobile internet economy, even as smartphones and mobile technologies become central to daily life. According to a new report by the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA), this digital divide could persist for decades unless urgent action is taken.
Titled “Barriers to Mobile Internet Adoption and Use,” the report finds that of the 3.4 billion people still offline, more than 90 percent live in areas already covered by mobile broadband networks. Yet, affordability, limited digital literacy, and apprehension about the digital world keep them disconnected.
The GSMA warns that mobile internet access is increasingly becoming a privilege rather than a universal utility. “Bridging this usage gap is essential to closing the digital divide,” the report notes, cautioning that, at the current pace, full connectivity could take more than 30 years.
Cost and Skills: The dominant barriers
Handset affordability and limited digital skills are the two most consistent barriers for people who are aware of mobile internet but have yet to adopt it. These obstacles cut across gender, geography, and income lines, affecting urban and rural populations alike.
In sub-Saharan Africa, the price of entry-level smartphones remains prohibitively high, often consuming up to 87 percent of the average monthly income of the poorest 20 percent of the population, and as much as 32 percent of women’s income. Across much of Asia, limited literacy and digital skills pose the largest hurdles, while safety and security concerns rank higher in Latin America. Interestingly, in countries such as Mexico and Guatemala, affordability and literacy are overtaking security fears as the main reason people stay offline, signaling shifting dynamics in adoption barriers.
Awareness still a key challenge
While awareness of mobile internet has grown globally, progress has slowed since 2019, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Between 2017 and 2019, awareness rose sharply, but it has plateaued at 70–80 percent in many nations. Reaching the remaining 20–30 percent who remain unaware has proven far more difficult.
In Nigeria, for example, only 4 percent of urban residents report being unaware of mobile internet, compared to 22 percent in rural areas. In Rwanda, nearly half of rural respondents have never heard of mobile internet, compared to 23 percent in cities. Gender disparities are also notable: in Uganda, 30 percent of women remain unaware, compared to 19 percent of men. These figures underscore how basic awareness—the first step toward adoption remains a persistent barrier, especially in marginalized communities.
Nigeria and Africa’s mobile internet usage gaps
The GSMA report highlights distinct urban-rural differences in mobile internet adoption across African countries. In Nigeria, urban residents show relatively high adoption: 95 percent own a mobile phone, 96 percent are aware of mobile internet, 73 percent own internet-enabled phones, 61 percent use mobile internet, 53 percent access it daily, and 38 percent engage in diverse daily mobile internet activities.
In contrast, rural areas show lower adoption rates: 90 percent own a mobile phone, 78 percent are aware of mobile internet, only 39 percent possess internet-enabled phones, 28 percent use mobile internet, 23 percent access it daily, and just 8 percent engage in diverse mobile internet activities each day.
Other countries show similar disparities. In Egypt, rural residents trail urban counterparts in every metric, from mobile ownership (84% vs 92%) to diverse daily mobile internet use (32% vs 36%). Ethiopia and Kenya display comparable urban-rural divides, with rural populations consistently lagging behind in internet-enabled phone ownership and adoption rates.
The report highlights that the largest drop-off generally occurs between awareness and ownership of internet-enabled devices. In rural Nigeria, 78 percent are aware of mobile internet, but only 39 percent own a smartphone—a 39-point gap. Among urban residents, the gap is 24 points. This pattern shows that access, rather than willingness, is often the limiting factor.
Smartphones as a gateway to inclusion
GSMA emphasises that expanding smartphone ownership is key to bridging adoption gaps. Smartphone users are more likely to engage with mobile internet across multiple applications than feature phone users. Shared device access exists in some communities, especially among women in restrictive settings, but individual ownership remains the most effective path to inclusion.
However, affordability remains a central obstacle. The median price of an entry-level internet-enabled device rose from around $50 in 2023 to $54 in 2024. For the world’s poorest households, this price point remains unattainable. The GSMA estimates that if the cost of entry-level devices could fall to $30, it could make handsets affordable for an additional 1.6 billion people.
The persistence of older 2G and 3G phones also poses a challenge. Even among those already online, a large share continue to rely on feature phones or outdated smartphones, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa where up to 60 percent of mobile internet users access the internet through older devices. As mobile operators phase out legacy networks, these users could lose access altogether if they cannot afford to upgrade.
Human factors: literacy and digital skills
Beyond device costs, literacy and digital competence remain major barriers. People over 35, women, rural residents, persons with disabilities, and lower-income groups often struggle with basic digital skills, ranging from reading and writing to operating devices confidently. Many report not knowing how to use a phone or access the internet, or lacking time and support to learn. Addressing this requires targeted education and training programs.
Illiteracy emerged as a top barrier in Nigeria, Egypt, Rwanda, Senegal, India, and Pakistan, while digital skills dominated in Tanzania, the Philippines, and Mexico. These challenges highlight that the digital divide is as much about human capacity as it is about technology.
Usage barriers for existing users
Even current mobile internet users face obstacles. About 43 percent of users want to engage more online but are held back by data costs or safety concerns. In Africa, high data prices limit usage, while in countries like Mexico and the Philippines, digital safety fears, scams, fraud, and harmful content are major deterrents. This shows that while handset costs hinder initial adoption, affordability and trust drive continued use.
Closing the gap
GSMA concludes that bridging the global mobile internet divide requires a multi-pronged strategy: affordability initiatives, digital literacy programs, local awareness campaigns, and policies that strengthen user trust. Without urgent action, digital exclusion risks becoming entrenched, particularly as more essential services move online.
“Access alone is not enough,” the report warns, while also noting “Ensuring that everyone can afford, understand, and safely use mobile internet is key to realising its full social and economic potential. As more people come online, addressing these concerns is essential to ensure they feel confident that they can keep themselves, families and personal information safe, and reap the full benefits of mobile internet.”
