Broadband and power upgrades could close Africa's mobile internet usage gap
A new report says expanding broadband and electricity, lowering phone costs and boosting digital skills could bring hundreds of millions of Africans online.
According to a recent report, Africa can narrow the disparity between mobile internet availability and actual usage by improving broadband infrastructure and electricity supply, making phones cheaper and enhancing digital literacy. Around 900 million people - roughly 60% of the continent’s population - live in areas where mobile internet is reachable yet remains unused. The analysis highlights that halving the usage gaps in Ethiopia, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo alone would connect about 170 million additional users.
Nations such as Niger, Rwanda and Uganda exhibit some of the widest gaps on the continent. The authors argue that simply extending rural coverage is insufficient where power is unreliable, and that coordinated investment in network facilities and energy is essential for adoption gains.
Why it matters
Closing the internet gap could boost education, commerce and health services for millions across Africa.
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