The Widening Gap in Mobile Internet Access

Despite widespread mobile network coverage, Nigeria faces a significant digital divide with approximately 140 million people lacking access to mobile internet services. This figure represents those living within coverage areas but not utilizing the available connectivity – a key finding from GSMA’s latest report on global mobile internet usage.

The primary barriers include:

  • Lack of awareness about mobile internet benefits
  • Affordability challenges, particularly for smartphones and data plans
  • Limited digital literacy skills

Nigeria accounts for a substantial portion (68%) of the total global usage gap, placing it among the top 20 countries with the largest disconnects. Other nations facing similar challenges include India, China, Ethiopia, DR Congo, Egypt, and Tanzania.

Rising Smartphone Costs Exacerbate the Problem

The affordability crisis stems from several converging factors:

  • Memory chip shortages driven by macroeconomic conditions and supply chain constraints
  • Manufacturers prioritizing premium device production with limited resources
  • Increased allocation of chips to 5G smartphones at the expense of entry-level models

This has resulted in a situation where even basic internet-enabled devices now consume a significant portion (44% or more) of average monthly income, particularly impacting low-income households.

Across Sub-Saharan Africa, 820 million people experience usage gaps, while only 25% are actively connected. While there’s been a slight increase in connectivity over the past year, driven by younger populations (Gen Z), significant disparities remain.

For children and adolescents (ages 5-17), the digital gap is particularly pronounced at 72%, highlighting concerns about equitable access to online learning and development opportunities. This underscores the need for targeted interventions that address affordability, device availability, and relevant content in local languages.