Here are the top 5 African countries with the cheapest data rates

Nigeria has been ranked 48 out of 233 nations whose cost per gigabit (GB) was determined, making it one of the least expensive places to purchase mobile data. The nation is ranked sixth in Africa, below Algeria, Libya, Ghana, Somalia, and Morocco.

According to the ranking and evaluation by Cable.co.uk, the average cost of a GB of data in Nigeria is less than $0.71, which is approximately ₦460 going by current exchange rate figures.

Despite the increasing cost of doing business in the country, the country still ranks cheaper than most countries like Egypt and South Africa.

Related story: Nigerians consumed 353,118 terabytes of data in 2021, 68.2% higher than 2020

Five African countries with the cheapest data rates

Algeria

In Africa, Algeria has the cheapest rate, ranked 29 in the world. The average cost of one GB of data in the country is $0.48, while the cheapest amount in the same country is $0.14. The most expensive amount for a GB of data in the country is $1.70.

Libya

Libya comes second with an average cost of $0.61. The country is ranked 39th in the world. The cheapest rate for buying the same amount of GB is $0.20, while the most expensive rate is $2.04.

With one of the highest market penetration rates in Africa, the mobile voice market is supported by some of the lowest tariffs on the continent and one of the highest per capita GDP levels.

Ghana

With a population of 31 million people, Ghana has been ranked the third cheapest country in Africa to access mobile data. The country ranks 40 globally, with an average cost of a GB being $0.61.

The country also has its cheapest rate at $0.20, while its most expensive rate for the same is $1.23.

The Government of Ghana has strongly emphasised the role of mobile technology in the country’s development. Ghana has one of the highest mobile penetration in West Africa. By the end of 2019, mobile penetration stood at 139%, higher than the African average of 85%.

There is a target to increase unique subscriber penetration by 64% and mobile internet penetration by 38.6%.

Somalia

Next is Somalia, which is ranked 42 globally with an average rate being $0.63. A user can also get a GB of data for just $0.30, which is its cheapest rate, and the most expensive rate is pegged at $1.67.

In 2020, researchers measured 25 data plans in the country and found the lowest price for 1GB was $0.18, while the most expensive one would cost $6.67.

Somalia’s prices are far lower than its neighbours Kenya ($1.05), which came 41st; Djibouti ($1.12), which was in 48th place; or Ethiopia ($2.44), which was in 94th place and where there is still a monopoly on telecom services.

Morocco

Morocco comes fifth in Africa as the country with the cheapest access to mobile data per GB. The country is ranked 45 globally with an average rate of $0.69. The country’s cheapest rate is, however, $0.44.

Data from the Digital 2022: Morocco report shows that the Internet penetration was 84.1% of the country’s population in January 2022.

This sees Morocco lead the pack, followed by Egypt at 71.9% Internet penetration; Tunisia at 66.7%; Western Sahara at 61.3%; Algeria at 60.6%; and Libya at 49.6%. Sudan has the lowest penetration in the region at just 30.9% in early 2022.

Read also: Introducing GAT Summit 2022: Africa’s largest government and tech convo

The most expensive countries

The five most expensive countries in terms of the average cost of 1GB of mobile data are Saint Helena (USD 41.06), the Falkland Islands (USD 38.45), São Tomé and Príncipe (USD 29.49), Tokelau (USD 17.88) and Yemen (USD 16.58).

The similarities between these five nations are striking. Two of the five are located in Sub-Saharan Africa, and four of five are island nations.

Sub-Saharan Africa is the second-most expensive region in the world for mobile data generally, while island nations also tend to be among the most expensive.

You might also want to read: Nigeria telcos gained 2.9m new telephone subscribers in May- NCC report

Five cheapest countries in the world

The five cheapest countries in terms of the average cost of 1GB of mobile data are Israel (USD 0.04), Italy (USD 0.12), San Marino (USD 0.14), Fiji (USD 0.15), and India (USD 0.17).