While Africa lags behind other regions in internet use, the continent has made progress in recent years.

This growth is driven by several factors, including infrastructure investments, mobile network expansion, and digital literacy initiatives.

As of January 2024, Nigeria leads the continent with over 103 million users, followed by Egypt at 82 million, according to DataReportal.

In Nigeria, a web traffic powerhouse, a whopping 86.2% comes from smartphones compared to just 13.3% from desktops.

This trend reflects the affordability and ease of mobile connectivity compared to traditional fixed-line internet setups.

The internet’s impact is undeniable – it has transformed communication, work, education, and information access. It fuels economic growth, opens doors to new opportunities, and connects people globally. No wonder internet users worldwide keep rising.

Here are the top ten African countries with the highest number of internet users.

Taofeek Oyedokun is a correspondent at BusinessDay with years of experience reporting on political economy, public policy, migration, environment/climate change, and social justice. A graduate of Political Science from the University of Lagos, he has also earned multiple professional certificates in journalism and media-related training. Known for his clear, data-driven reporting, Oyedokun covers a wide range of national and international socioeconomic issues, bringing depth, balance, and public-interest focus to his work.

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