Mobile Internet Connectivity 2019 Sub-Saharan Africa Factsheet
THE MOBILE CONNECTIVITY INDEX
There are now more than 3.5 billion mobile internet subscribers globally, representing 47% of the world’s population. However, adoption has not been equitable, with mobile internet adoption currently standing at 24% in Sub-Saharan Africa. The region also accounts for 40% of the global population not covered by a mobile broadband network.
The GSMA Connected Society’s Mobile Connectivity Index (MCI) supports the mobile industry’s commitment to drive mobile internet connectivity and accelerate digital inclusion by measuring the performance of 165 countries – representing 99% of the global population – against the four key enablers of mobile internet adoption: infrastructure; affordability; consumer readiness, and; content and services. The data the MCI provides can help focus the efforts that are required by the mobile industry, governments and the international community to accelerate mobile internet uptake.
STATE OF MOBILE INTERNET CONNECTIVITY
Sub-Saharan African Mobile Percentage of the Sub-Saharan African population Connectivity Index Scores over time connected to mobile internet over time
37% 30% 41% 300mn 48% 45% 400mn 370mn 38 440mn 430mn 36 33 31 46% 42% 29 41% 470mn 38% 39% 420mn 390mn 350mn 360mn 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
21% 24% 16% 18% 250mn 13% 210mn 120mn 150mn 180mn The index is built up 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 through 38 indicators feeding into 14 dimensions Connected Usage Gap Coverage Gap that are aggregated to give a score for each of the Source: GSMA Intelligence, 2018. ‘Connected’ refers to the number (in millions) of unique people who have used internet four enablers. Scores fall services on a mobile device. Mobile internet services are defined as any activity that consumes mobile data. ‘Usage’ gap within a range of 0-100. refers to those who live within the footprint of a mobile broadband network but are not using mobile internet. ‘Coverage gap’ refers to those who do not live within the footprint of a mobile broadband network.
The GSMA Connected Society programme works with the mobile industry and key stakeholders to increase access to and adoption of mobile internet and all the benefits that it can deliver. Get in touch to find out more:[email protected] Mobile Internet Connectivity 2019 Sub-Saharan Africa Factsheet
KEY STATISTICS
3G 4G MOBILE SOCIAL MEDIA PENETRATION
COVERAGE COVERAGE
Infrastructure 63% 2017 27% 2017 Content and Services Content 9% 2017 2018 70% 2018 34% 2018 11%
Average Affordability of MOBILE OWNERSHIP 1GB 8.6% 6.8% (% of monthly income) 2017 2018
Average Affordability
Affordability of cheapest internet 58.0% 68.5% Readiness Consumer 44% 45% device 2017 2017 2018 (% of monthly income) 2018
• Acceleration in mobile • Mobile data has become • According to consumers, • Mobile internet adoption broadband coverage has more affordable but the two largest barriers is not equitable - in Sub- been driven by operators remains above the 2% to mobile internet adoption Saharan Africa, women are upgrading 2G sites to 3G of monthly income in Sub-Saharan Africa 41% less likely than men to or 4G. threshold for more than are a lack of digital skills use mobile internet and rural Overall 75% of countries in and literacy followed by populations are 58% less the region. affordability. likely to use mobile internet than urban populations.
Top Five Countries by Index and Enabler (2018)
Mobile Consumer Content and Connectivity Infrastructure Affordability Readiness Services Index
Mauritius Rwanda Mauritius Mauritius Mauritius South Africa South Africa Congo Namibia South Africa Ghana Mauritius South Africa Botswana Cabo Verde Cabo Verde Lesotho Cabo Verde South Africa Ghana Kenya Kenya Cote d’lvoire Cabo Verde Gabon
Most Improved Countries (2014-2018)
Index scores 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2014 Mobile 2018 Mobile 50 KENYA Internet Penetration Internet Penetration 48 49 GABON 46 44 COTE D’IVOIRE KENYA 16% 24% 45 45 40 42 TANZANIA GABON 5% 29% 40 40 KENYA 37 39 38 SIERRA LEONE GABON 37 COTE D’IVOIRE 16% 26% COTE D’IVOIRE 35 35 33 32 TANZANIA 9% 15% TANZANIA 29 29 28 SIERRA LEONE 26 SIERRA LEONE 13% 24% 25
How does your country score? Visit: www.mobileconnectivityindex.com