Measuring the rate of ICT adoption in a region like Africa is no easy feat. Fortunately, the ICT Development Index is a great way of tracking a country’s ICT growth rate.
By Michael Akuchie
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools, such as social media and the Internet, play a major role in driving a country’s economic growth. These platforms enable businesses to reach more potential customers, foster innovation, and boost trade between nations.
They also serve as enhanced means of delivering public services. In Africa, e-government initiatives such as Rwanda’s IremboGov portal, which provides access to various public services, and Tanzania’s Watumishi Public Employee Management Portal, have improved service delivery and enhanced transparency in public governance.
It is no surprise that many ministries and agencies have begun digitising their services to make them more accessible to citizens. Investments in ICT can create jobs, contribute to GDP growth, and help individuals bring their startup ideas to life.
Measuring the rate of ICT adoption in a region like Africa is no simple task, given that the continent comprises fifty-four unique countries. However, the ICT Development Index (IDI), a report prepared by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a United Nations agency, highlights the extent of internet connectivity in each country and evaluates how impactful its presence has been.
Using the 2024 edition of the ICT Development Index, this listicle will rank the top five African countries that made waves in terms of ICT adoption this year.
Libya
Despite its relatively small population of 7.4 million, the North African country has made remarkable progress in increasing ICT adoption.
According to the report, Libya’s overall IDI score rose to 88.1%, with 93% of its population using the Internet. Internet access is widely recognised as a human right, enabling users to explore diverse job opportunities, access entertainment, and stay informed about local and global news. The country’s mobile broadband penetration rate also stood at 83.7%.
Unlike fixed broadband, which, as the name suggests, restricts users to enjoying high download speeds in a specific location, mobile broadband allows users to move freely without worrying about reduced download speeds. It is also less expensive compared to fixed broadband, a factor that can easily sway undecided users towards its adoption.
Interestingly, the report highlights that Libya’s mobile broadband affordability stood at 99%, indicating that broadband plans in the country are highly affordable. Supporting this claim is research by Statista, which examined the cost of one GB of data across Africa.
According to the Statista study, the average cost of one GB of data in Libya is just 86 cents. With widespread internet access and affordable data plans, it is no surprise that Libya has emerged as a leader in ICT adoption.
Morocco
Following closely is Morocco, another North African country, with an IDI score of 86.8%. According to the report, 94.6% of Morocco’s population (37.84 million) are internet users, meaning that the majority of citizens can access the Internet for various purposes.
In terms of household internet access, the report revealed that 92% of households in Morocco enjoy this essential service.
Diving into the specifics, 99.4% of Morocco’s population has mobile broadband coverage, while 87.4% has access to fixed broadband. In terms of mobile broadband affordability, Morocco remains among the top performers, with a ranking of 93.7%.
In 2024, Morocco recorded one of the lowest data prices in Africa, with one GB costing as little as 63 cents.
Seychelles
In third place is Seychelles, an East African island nation, with an IDI score of 84.7%. Despite its small population of 130,000, the country boasts an internet user base of 91.2%. However, mobile broadband penetration is relatively low at 66.1%, a figure linked to limited internet coverage in certain areas and a significant digital divide.
While Seychelles has a high number of mobile phone owners—98% of the population own a mobile phone—this does not necessarily mean that all phone owners use the Internet. This gap is largely attributed to a lack of digital literacy among some citizens and concerns about data costs.
Acquiring one gigabyte of internet data in Seychelles will cost you an average of 5.43 dollars which puts it as one of the African countries with the most expensive data.
Mauritius
Another island nation making the list is Mauritius, which ranks fourth with an IDI of 84.2%. The proportion of internet users stands at 79.5%, indicating that the majority of citizens can easily access the internet.
In terms of household internet access, 77.6% of households are connected, while mobile broadband penetration is at 78.2%.
Data plans are quite affordable in Mauritius, with one gigabyte of data costing an average of 67 cents. In comparison, the most expensive plan could cost nearly 9 dollars ($8.86). A remarkable 91% of the country’s population owns mobile phones, and 99% of this demographic is covered by at least one 4G internet service provider.
South Africa
Fifth on the list is South Africa, a country renowned for fostering startups, particularly those developing tech solutions. According to StartupBlink, the country is home to 672 startups and is considered one of the top 100 countries with the best startup ecosystems.
With its conducive environment for startups and other businesses to thrive, it is no surprise that South Africa ranks among the top five countries with the best ICT adoption rates.
With an overall IDI of 83.6%, South Africa’s internet user base stands at 78.6%. The percentage of households with internet access is slightly higher, at 79.3%.
The country’s mobile broadband penetration is high, at 90%. In terms of affordability, one gigabyte of mobile data costs around $1.18 on average, according to recent data. This makes South Africa’s data plans some of the most affordable in Africa.
Michael Akuchie is a tech journalist with five years of experience covering cybersecurity, AI, automotive trends, and startups. He reads human-angle stories in his spare time. He’s on X (fka Twitter) as @Michael_Akuchie & michael_akuchie on Instagram.
Cover photo credit: Business Insider Africa