Proportion of individuals using the Internet (%) in Africa
Africa: Proportion of individuals using the Internet (%) was 41.8% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Proportion of individuals using the Internet in Africa, 2005–2025
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
Analysis
The most recent figure for proportion of individuals using the internet in Africa is 41.8%, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 21 years on record.
That represents a change of up 4.8% on the previous year and up 108.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, proportion of individuals using the internet in Africa peaked at 41.8% in 2025 and was at its lowest, 3.6%, in 2005.
That places Africa 31st out of 37 groups with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Proportion of individuals using the Internet (%) in Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 3.6% | — |
| 2006 | 4.3% | +19.4% |
| 2007 | 5.4% | +25.6% |
| 2008 | 6.4% | +18.5% |
| 2009 | 7.5% | +17.2% |
| 2010 | 9.4% | +25.3% |
| 2011 | 10.8% | +14.9% |
| 2012 | 12.6% | +16.7% |
| 2013 | 14.6% | +15.9% |
| 2014 | 17.1% | +17.1% |
| 2015 | 20.1% | +17.5% |
| 2016 | 22.4% | +11.4% |
| 2017 | 24.5% | +9.4% |
| 2018 | 26.7% | +9.0% |
| 2019 | 30.0% | +12.4% |
| 2020 | 33.7% | +12.3% |
| 2021 | 35.9% | +6.5% |
| 2022 | 37.8% | +5.3% |
| 2023 | 38.8% | +2.6% |
| 2024 | 39.9% | +2.8% |
| 2025 | 41.8% | +4.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 5.4% | 3.6% | 7.5% | 5 |
| 2010s | 18.8% | 9.4% | 30.0% | 10 |
| 2020s | 38.0% | 33.7% | 41.8% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Africa
- 29 Australia and New Zealand 95.7% compare
- 30 Chile 95.6% compare
- 30 Jordan 95.6% compare
- 32 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 95.5% compare
- 32 United Kingdom 95.5% compare
- 34 Oman 95.3% compare
More science & technology data for Africa
- 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)
- Mobile cellular postpaid connection charge 2.21 current US$ (2009)
Frequently asked questions
- What is proportion of individuals using the internet in Africa?
- Proportion of individuals using the internet in Africa was 41.8% in 2025, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest proportion of individuals using the internet recorded in Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 41.8% in 2025.
- What is the lowest proportion of individuals using the internet recorded in Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.6% in 2005.
- How does Africa rank for proportion of individuals using the internet?
- Africa ranks 31st out of 37 groups with data for 2025.
- Is proportion of individuals using the internet rising or falling in Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 108.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Africa data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Proportion of individuals using the Internet (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 21 observations, free to reuse under UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested).