Internet users in Africa
Africa: Internet users was 168.70 million in 2011. ◆ Volatile
Internet users in Africa, 1990–2011
Source: International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication/ICT Development Report and database.
Analysis
Africa recorded 168.70 million for internet users in 2011. That is the highest value across all 17 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 26.5% on the previous year and up 2,720.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, internet users in Africa peaked at 168.70 million in 2011 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1990.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Internet users in Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 0 | — |
| 1996 | 428,741 | — |
| 1997 | 863,442 | +101.4% |
| 1998 | 1.63 million | +88.8% |
| 1999 | 2.79 million | +71.1% |
| 2000 | 4.38 million | +57.2% |
| 2001 | 5.98 million | +36.5% |
| 2002 | 9.90 million | +65.5% |
| 2003 | 13.89 million | +40.3% |
| 2004 | 26.33 million | +89.6% |
| 2005 | 34.44 million | +30.8% |
| 2006 | 47.45 million | +37.8% |
| 2007 | 57.07 million | +20.3% |
| 2008 | 79.82 million | +39.8% |
| 2009 | 101.09 million | +26.7% |
| 2010 | 133.34 million | +31.9% |
| 2011 | 168.70 million | +26.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 1.14 million | 0 | 2.79 million | 5 |
| 2000s | 38.03 million | 4.38 million | 101.09 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 151.02 million | 133.34 million | 168.70 million | 2 |
Countries ranked near Africa
More science & technology data for Africa
- Proportion of individuals using the Internet 41.8% (2025)
- Proportion of population covered by at least a 2G mobile network 94.9% (2025)
- Proportion of population covered by at least a 3G mobile network 90.2% (2025)
- Proportion of population covered by at least a 4G mobile network 77.6% (2025)
- Proportion of individuals who own a mobile telephone, by sex 69.4% (2024)
- Proportion of adults (15 years and older) with an account at a 54.9% (2024)
- Mobile phone subscribers 623.58 per 1,000 people (2011)
- Telephone mainlines 28.95 per 1,000 people (2011)
- Telephone (mainlines and mobile phone) subscribers 652.53 per 1,000 people (2011)
- Revenue from mobile communication 25.95 billion current US$ (2011)
Frequently asked questions
- What is internet users in Africa?
- Internet users in Africa was 168.70 million in 2011, according to International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication/ICT Development Report and database.
- What is the highest internet users recorded in Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 168.70 million in 2011.
- What is the lowest internet users recorded in Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1990.
- How does Africa rank for internet users?
- Africa ranks 1st out of 6 groups with data for 2011.
- Is internet users rising or falling in Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2,720.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Africa data come from?
- The figures come from International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication/ICT Development Report and database, published as part of Internet users. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 17 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data).
About this data
Internet users are people with access to the worldwide network.