While data prices in Africa are considerably higher than in other regions, the quality of internet access is rather pathetic and feels like a complete rip-off on most days.
By Michael Akuchie
The Internet for All Initiative, a US government-led programme, describes the internet as the “backbone of today’s world.” It is difficult to dispute this claim, especially as essential services such as education and government operations have become digitised.
The internet has also led to byproducts like instant messaging applications, such as WhatsApp and Messenger, which enable people to reconnect with old friends, maintain relationships with current ones, and even form new connections.
Admittedly, the internet has its downsides, with cyberbullying, social media addiction, and phishing being notable examples of how it can be misused.
Despite these negatives, the internet remains a goldmine of job opportunities, entertainment, educational resources, and much more. The United Nations’ decision to declare access to the internet a human right is commendable, as it underscores its significance in today’s world.
While the internet is readily accessible in many parts of the world, the quality of access varies significantly. Additionally, some regions are notorious for their considerably higher mobile data rates.
Africa is well-known as one of the regions where data prices are particularly high. Between June and September 2023, Cable, a price comparison site, conducted a survey to determine the cost of one gigabyte (GB) of data worldwide.
According to the findings, Israel ($0.02), Italy ($0.09), and Fiji ($0.09) rank as the top three countries with the cheapest internet access. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Zimbabwe ($43.75) and South Sudan ($23.70) top the list of countries where one GB of data is exorbitantly expensive. The Falkland Islands, Saint Helena, and Tokelau also make the list.
For context, a Statista study found that the average cost of one GB of data in North Africa differs significantly from that in Sub-Saharan Africa. In North Africa, approximately 86 cents could secure one gigabyte of data, whereas residents in Sub-Saharan Africa would need to spend around $3.31 for the same volume.
It is worth noting that, when converted to local currencies, both 86 cents and $3.31 represent a significant amount of money in these regions.
Consider Nigeria, where the local currency has experienced a sharp decline in value over the past few months. A dollar currently exchanges for ₦1,680 on the official market and as much as ₦1,800 on alternative channels. Amidst rising inflation and high petrol prices, increasing mobile data rates further exacerbate the struggles of Nigerians, many of whom rely on the internet for breaking news, educational content, and more.
While data prices in Africa are significantly higher than in other regions, the quality of internet access is often abysmal and feels like a rip-off on most days. The findings of another Cable report offer some intriguing insights.
Sub-Saharan Africa ranks second to last among global regions in terms of internet speed, with an average of just 14.99 megabits per second (Mbps). This figure is a far cry from regions like Western Europe, which boasts an average of 142.12 Mbps, or the Baltics, with 106.45 Mbps.
On some days, accessing the internet requires immense patience, as web pages can take minutes to load. On other days, they fail to load entirely, leaving users to either explore alternatives or feel completely helpless. Downloading large files of 50 GB or more often takes several hours, adding to the frustration.
As someone who frequently downloads large files, I have had to experiment with multiple internet service providers (ISPs), purchasing various data bundles just to complete these downloads. As if being charged higher rates wasn’t enough, citizens must also endure snail-like network speeds.
The telecommunications companies (telcos) operating in African countries are responsible for delivering quality internet access. They achieve this through infrastructure such as cell towers, underground fibre optic cables, and data centres.
However, their efforts are hampered by certain challenges. In countries like Nigeria, the worsening exchange rates make it increasingly difficult for telcos to purchase additional fibre optic cables and other infrastructure, as the local currency continues to lose value. Converting the Naira to dollars to pay for these expenses means spending far more than originally planned.
There is also the issue of vandalism to contend with. In South Africa and other African countries, vandalism has become a growing concern for both government and private companies, due to the significant cost of replacing destroyed or stolen infrastructure.
In 2022, it was revealed that cable theft cost Telkom (a telco), Eskom (an energy company), the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (a railway company), and Transnet (a railway company) a combined total of 187 billion Rand annually. When telcos lose such significant sums to vandalism, it becomes more difficult for them to upgrade existing infrastructure, as they are constantly focused on replacing damaged parts.
Power outages are another major obstacle to telcos’ ability to provide high-speed internet access. In countries with unreliable power supply, telcos are forced to explore alternative energy sources to keep their operations running.
In some instances, renewable energy sources like solar power are introduced. In other cases, telcos must rely on diesel, which can be quite expensive in countries like Nigeria. When you add energy costs to the financial impact of vandalism and currency exchange issues, it creates a complex mix of challenges.
Earlier, it was mentioned that the internet is a significant part of today’s world, and this holds true for African countries as well. With virtually everything being done online, high-speed internet is crucial for digital economic growth.
When poor network speed persists, the gap between those with good and bad internet access widens, leading to a growing digital divide. This divide can result in users missing out on job opportunities, valuable information, and business deals.
To improve telcos’ capacity to deliver high-speed network access, more public and private partnerships should be established. The government should also review its current regulatory policies and consider reducing its taxation on telcos so that savings can be redirected to enhance infrastructure.
Additionally, the government should strive to improve the power supply in the country by investing in the energy sector. Vandalism should be strongly discouraged, with sensitisation efforts made to educate citizens on the dangers of engaging in such acts.
If network speeds are improved across the continent, it would justify the high prices that Africans often face.
The internet is a digital extension of the world, offering limitless access to opportunities. Unfortunately, Africans face astronomical mobile data prices and must still contend with slow speeds, which can negatively impact their internet experience.
Through meaningful partnerships with telcos and other concerned groups, the government can roll out strategies that significantly improve the quality of internet access and ensure that citizens feel they are getting better value for the money spent on data plans.
Michael Akuchie is a tech journalist with four 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: Monclair State University