As the world becomes increasingly reliant on digital connectivity, access to affordable internet has become a crucial driver of economic growth and social development.
A recent report by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), in collaboration with the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA), has revealed that Nigeria boasts some of the most affordable mobile data costs not just in Africa, but globally. This finding underscores Nigeria’s position as a leader in digital accessibility on the continent.
The report titled “The Role of Mobile Technology in Driving Digital Economy in Nigeria” highlights that Nigeria offers the lowest data costs in West Africa, significantly undercutting the average across the entire African continent.
With an average cost of just $0.38 per gigabyte, Nigeria provides remarkably accessible data services to its citizens. This affordability stands in stark contrast to other African nations, such as Kenya, where data costs average $0.59 per gigabyte, Ethiopia at $0.68 per gigabyte, and South Africa at a considerably higher $1.77 per gigabyte.
According to ITU, mobile data in Nigeria is the lowest in West Africa ,one of the lowest in Africa and the world generally.
“The cost in Nigeria is a per cent of GNI (per capita) .Its basic data-only package is the lowest in West Africa and well below the average across Africa,” ITU said.
The ITU report doesn’t just compare Nigeria to its African counterparts; it also places its data affordability in a global context. The report notes that the United States of America, a developed nation with advanced technological infrastructure, has average data rates of $6 per gigabyte. This comparison further emphasizes the remarkable affordability of data in Nigeria, making it significantly more accessible to a larger portion of the population.
Induatry experts have noted that afordable data plays a crucial role in bridging the digital divide, ensuring that more people, regardless of their socioeconomic background, can participate in the digital world. This inclusivity is essential for fostering a more equitable and prosperous society.
It is to be known that telecom operators in Nigeria have recently been pushing for a significant tariff increase, citing inflation and the challenging economic environment as justification.
“2024 was a very torrid year for the entire telecoms industry. ’We are the largest operators, so we were probably able to be a bit more resilient but it has been very difficult,” the Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola noted in a recent interview.
Toriola cited the major factors which contributed to the challenges of telecoms operations in 2024 ,including high cost of operations, which according to him, now exceeds revenue.
Here are some key takeaways:
- Globally competitive: Nigeria stands out globally for its affordable mobile data, offering some of the lowest data costs in the world.
- Lowest in West Africa: The cost for a basic data-only package in Nigeria is the lowest in West Africa and well below the average across Africa.
- Specific figures: The report states that Nigeria has an average data cost of $0.38 per gigabyte. This is significantly lower than other African countries like:
Kenya ($0.59 per gigabyte)
Ethiopia ($0.68 per gigabyte)
South Africa ($1.77 per gigabyte)
- Comparison to the US: The report also notes that the United States of America has much higher data rates, averaging $6 per gigabyte