Average price for mobile data in select African countries 2023
Zimbabwe had the most expensive mobile internet in Africa as of 2023. One gigabyte cost on average 43.75 U.S. dollars in the African country, the highest worldwide. Overall, the cost of mobile data varied significantly across the continent. South Sudan and The Central African Republic also recorded elevated prices for mobile data, positioning among the 10 countries with the highest prices for data globally. By contrast, one gigabyte cost 0.38 U.S. dollars in Malawi, the lowest average price registered in Africa.
Determinants for high pricing
On average, one gigabyte of mobile internet in Sub-Saharan Africa amounted to 3.31 U.S. dollars in 2023, one of the highest worldwide, according to the source. In Northern Africa, the price for mobile data was far lower, 0.86 U.S. dollars on average. Few factors influence the elevated prices of mobile data in Africa, such as high taxation and the lack of infrastructure. In 2021, around 57.1 percent of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa lived within a range of 25 kilometers from fiber networks.
Mobile connectivity
Over 530 million people are estimated to be connected to the mobile internet in Africa as of 2022. The coverage gap has decreased in the continent but remained the highest worldwide in 2022. That year, 15 percent of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa lived in areas not covered by a mobile broadband network. Additionally, the adoption of mobile internet is not equitable, as it is more accessible to men than women as well as more spread in urban than rural areas.
Determinants for high pricing
On average, one gigabyte of mobile internet in Sub-Saharan Africa amounted to 3.31 U.S. dollars in 2023, one of the highest worldwide, according to the source. In Northern Africa, the price for mobile data was far lower, 0.86 U.S. dollars on average. Few factors influence the elevated prices of mobile data in Africa, such as high taxation and the lack of infrastructure. In 2021, around 57.1 percent of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa lived within a range of 25 kilometers from fiber networks.
Mobile connectivity
Over 530 million people are estimated to be connected to the mobile internet in Africa as of 2022. The coverage gap has decreased in the continent but remained the highest worldwide in 2022. That year, 15 percent of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa lived in areas not covered by a mobile broadband network. Additionally, the adoption of mobile internet is not equitable, as it is more accessible to men than women as well as more spread in urban than rural areas.
