Africa has the lowest rate of internet usage in the world, with only 38% of its population online in 2024, according to the International Telecommunications Union.
This is far below the global average of 68%.
The ITU shared this in its new State of Digital Development in Africa report. It shows that even though more Africans want to use the internet, many are still offline due to expensive services, lack of digital skills, and poor network infrastructure, especially in rural areas.
The report says cost is a major issue.
“In 2024, the median price of an entry-level mobile broadband plan (2GB per month) stood at 4.2% of gross national income per capita, down slightly from 4.6% in 2023.”
However, this is still more than double the UN Broadband Commission’s target of 2%, and the highest among all ITU regions.
Fixed broadband is even worse, costing around 15% of GNI per person, which makes it unaffordable for most people.
“These high costs hit low-income groups the hardest, deepening digital inequality across the continent,” the ITU said.
The ITU noted that mobile networks are the main way Africans access the internet. In 2024, mobile broadband covered 86% of the population, but 14% still had no access at all. In rural areas, this jumps to 25%.
While 70% of people now have access to 4G, about 16% still rely on slower 3G networks. Only 11% of the population—mainly in big cities—has access to 5G.
The report highlights a clear gap between cities and villages. In urban areas, internet usage reached 57% in 2024, but only 23% in rural areas—this is the widest urban-rural gap in the world, according to the ITU.
It said this gap is growing because more investments are going into urban areas, leaving rural communities behind.
The ITU stressed the need for better policies and more investment to improve internet access in these underserved areas.
While many African countries are working on their ICT rules, only 18% have reached the most advanced level of regulation (G4), far below the global average of 38%.
“Digital transformation cannot succeed without robust digital governance,” the ITU warned.
The report also calls for better coordination in digital ID systems, digital skills training and policies that cut across different sectors.
It also urged stronger efforts in cybersecurity and data protection.
