Average price for mobile data in select African countries 2022
São Tomé and Príncipe had the most expensive mobile internet in Africa as of 2022. One gigabyte cost on average 29.5 U.S. dollars in the African country, one of the highest prices worldwide. Overall, the cost of mobile data varied significantly across the continent. Botswana, Togo, and Seychelles also recorded elevated prices for mobile data, positioning among the 10 countries with the highest prices for data globally. By contrast, one gigabyte cost 0.48 U.S. dollars in Algeria, the lowest average price registered in Africa.
Determinants for high pricing
On average, one gigabyte of mobile internet in Sub-Saharan Africa amounted to 4.47 U.S. dollars in 2022, one of the highest worldwide, according to the source. In Northern Africa, the price for mobile data was far lower, 1.05 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 June 2020, around 56 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 2020. That year, 19 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 4.47 U.S. dollars in 2022, one of the highest worldwide, according to the source. In Northern Africa, the price for mobile data was far lower, 1.05 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 June 2020, around 56 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 2020. That year, 19 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.
