Charts / Technology
Mobile internet reaches 27% of Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa has the world's lowest mobile-internet adoption, less than half the global rate.
Updated 2026 · Data year 2023
Figure 1
Sub-Saharan Africa has the world's lowest mobile-internet adoption, less than half the global rate.
80%
North America · %
Source: GSMA · 2023 · Mobile-internet adoption = share of total population using mobile internet on a device they own or primarily use, end of 2023. GSMA regional figures.
At the end of 2023, 27% of Sub-Saharan Africa's population used mobile internet, the lowest of any world region and less than half the global rate of 57% [S1]. North America led at 80%, ahead of Europe and Central Asia at 75% and East Asia and Pacific at 72% [S1]. Sub-Saharan Africa also trailed the next-lowest regions, South Asia at 50% and the Middle East and North Africa at 49% [S1].
Takeaways
- 27% of Sub-Saharan Africa's population used mobile internet at end-2023, the world's lowest region.
- The global average was 57%; North America led at 80%.
- Sub-Saharan Africa trailed South Asia (50%) and the Middle East & North Africa (49%).
- Europe & Central Asia (75%) and East Asia & Pacific (72%) ranked just behind North America.
Sources
- TIER A GSMA, The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity Report 2024 (2024). https://gsma.com/r/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/The-State-of-Mobile-Internet-Connectivity-Report-2024.pdf
Mobile-internet adoption by region, end of 2023: North America 80%, Europe & Central Asia 75%, East Asia & Pacific 72%, Latin America & Caribbean 61%, South Asia 50%, MENA 49%, Sub-Saharan Africa 27%; global 57% (4.6 billion people). - TIER A GSMA, The Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa (2024). https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/connectivity-for-good/mobile-economy/sub-saharan-africa/
Corroborating regional context: GSMA reports mobile-internet penetration in Sub-Saharan Africa at around 25% in 2023, with 3G still the dominant technology.