By John Ikani
Nigeria now ranks as the seventh fastest in Sub-Saharan Africa for internet speed, recording an average download speed of 27.62 Mbps.
According to the 2024 Worldwide Broadband Speed Report by Cable.co.uk, released on Tuesday, broadband speed tests across 220 countries showed that Nigeria climbed from 133rd position in 2023 to 132nd in 2024.
In Africa, Nigeria follows Réunion, South Africa, Eswatini, Rwanda, Mauritius, and Botswana, which secured the first to sixth places. Réunion leads with an average speed of 63.29 Mbps, with South Africa in second place at 42.42 Mbps.
Africa’s average speed
The report indicates that the continent’s average internet speed is 14.99 Mbps, ranking Africa as the second-lowest region globally.
“50 countries were measured in the second-slowest region Sub-Saharan Africa, which averaged a download speed of 14.99Mbps overall. All but two of the countries found themselves in the slowest half of the league table.
“Going against the trend somewhat were Réunion (63.29Mbps, 75th), South Africa (42.42Mbps, 114th), and Eswatini (37.23Mbps, 120th). Meanwhile, Sudan (4.02Mbps, 223rd), Central African Republic (4.08Mbps, 222nd), and Ethiopia (4.45Mbps, 221st) all fell among the slowest ten countries in the world for average network speed,” the report stated.
Global leaders
The report highlights that, based on around 1.5 billion broadband speed tests worldwide, Iceland boasts the fastest internet with an average speed of 279.55 Mbps. Jersey follows with 273.51 Mbps, and Macao ranks third at 234.74 Mbps.
The analysis also notes that 35 countries did not reach average speeds of 10 Mbps, the minimum required by UK telecoms watchdog Ofcom for typical family or small business needs.
This figure has decreased from 48 countries in 2023, 67 countries in 2022, and 94 countries in 2021, reflecting ongoing improvements in global internet speeds.
What you should know
Nigeria is actively working to boost internet speed and expand access through its National Broadband Plan (NBP 2020-2025). Despite some missed targets, the country is making progress in its broadband speed objectives.
The plan aimed for internet speeds of 15 Mbps in urban areas and 5 Mbps in rural areas by 2023. The global report shows Nigeria has exceeded these goals with its current 27.62 Mbps average speed.
The increase in internet speed, although primarily in major cities, is largely due to the rollout of 5G by MTN and Airtel. Additionally, Elon Musk’s Starlink is significantly enhancing internet access and speed, delivering over 50 Mbps in both urban and rural areas according to user reports.
