10 African countries with the slowest internet on mobile devices

Although internet and mobile penetration in Africa is on the rise, we cannot ignore the continent’s struggle with adequate internet access, especially in rural areas.

Slow mobile internet connectivity in Africa is a complex issue with far-reaching implications.

While the continent’s urban areas have relatively fast internet speeds, rural communities do not enjoy the same privileges. Furthermore, the idea of ​​data costs relative to income levels is a major barrier to internet access for many Africans.

These issues constitute the challenges associated with maximizing Africa’s digital economy.

Slow mobile internet speeds impede productivity and innovation, and hinder the growth of businesses and entrepreneurial ventures that rely on digital platforms for market access and efficiency. Considering the growth of digital solutions in these industries, it will also impact education and healthcare.

It is important to note that not all African countries are suffering from this challenge to the same extent, but some countries that are grappling with this problem are particularly troubled by this problem.

That being said, here are the 10 African countries with the slowest internet on mobile devices as of early 2024. Data for this list is provided by Speedtest Global Index.

This number goes back to January 2024 and represents the median value of the index. The Speedtest Global Index ranked 144 countries around the world.