Only 38% of Africa’s population used internet in 2024—ITU report 

The ITU disclosed this in the latest State of Digital Development in Africa report, which paints a sobering picture of the continent’s digital divide, despite a growing appetite for Internet connectivity across Africa.

The report shows that although Internet adoption in Africa has been rising, millions remain offline due to high service costs, digital illiteracy, and a lack of reliable infrastructure, especially in rural communities.

According to the report, affordability remains a major stumbling block to broader digital inclusion.

“In 2024, the median price of an entry-level mobile broadband plan (2GB per month) stood at 4.2% of gross national income (GNI) per capita, down slightly from 4.6% in 2023.  

“That’s still more than double the UN Broadband Commission’s affordability target of two per cent, and the highest of any ITU region. 

“The situation is even worse for fixed broadband, which carries a median price tag of 15% of GNI per capita, placing it well beyond the reach of most African households.  

“These high costs hit low-income groups the hardest, deepening digital inequality across the continent,” the ITU stated in the report.

The global telecom body noted that mobile networks continue to be the backbone of Internet access in Africa.

The report shows that Africa’s digital revolution is being led by young, urban populations, while older adults and rural dwellers are being left behind.

The urban-rural divide is especially stark: Internet usage in cities reached 57% in 2024, compared to just 23% in rural areas—the widest gap among all ITU regions.

“Digital transformation cannot succeed without robust digital governance,” the ITU warns.

The report calls for improved coordination on digital identity, digital skills, and cross-sector policies, alongside stronger efforts in cybersecurity and data protection.

Nigeria, which has one of the largest mobile connectivity in the continent, recorded 138.7 million mobile connections as of December 2024, according to data from the Nigerian Communications Commission.

Broadband penetration in the country stood at 44.43% in the same period, while 42% of the country’s connectivity was still on 2G, with 5G connections accounting for only 2.4%.