By Jimmy
According to a recent report released by cable.co.uk, Sub-Saharan African countries face a great challenge when it comes to data affordability.
Only six countries from the region rank among the top 50 cheapest globally. Malawi leads the region at $0.38, while countries like Zimbabwe, Saint Helena, and South Sudan are among the most expensive in the world, painting a complex picture of digital accessibility.
In contrast, Northern African countries offer relatively affordable mobile data, with Western Sahara being the cheapest at $0.58. Mauritania stands out as the most expensive in the region at $1.32. Given these statistics, Northern Africa, as a whole, ranks as the cheapest region worldwide with an average cost of 1GB: $0.86.
Nigeria, as it is, emerged as the 31st-ranked country with the lowest cost of data or data price globally. The country has an average price of 1GB of data at $0.39, (N390, using an exchange rate of N1000).
While this places Nigeria among the league of countries where data is affordable compared to some other nations, significant disparities exist within the country itself. The cost of 1GB of data in Nigeria ranges from as low as $0.13 to as high as $1.64, showing the diversity of pricing options available.
SEE: Nigeria’s data costs still one of the most affordable globally – Bosun Tijani
Global mobile data price
The report highlights the five most and least expensive countries worldwide for 1GB of mobile data. At the pinnacle of the cost spectrum are countries like Zimbabwe ($43.75), the Falkland Islands ($40.58), and Saint Helena ($40.13). Notably, three out of these five nations are located in Sub-Saharan Africa.
This paints a concerning picture of the region’s cost of digital accessibility. Island nations, known for their higher data prices, also feature prominently.
Conversely, countries like Israel ($0.02), Italy ($0.09), and Fiji ($0.09) offer some of the most affordable mobile data globally. Notably, Italy provides the cheapest mobile data in Western Europe, reflecting the advanced infrastructure in the region. Israel, renowned for its 5G leadership, offers both cutting-edge technology and affordable data.
The United States remains, rather surprisingly, one of the most expensive nations on the planet for mobile data affordability, coming in 219th in the world, with an average 1GB cost of USD 6.00
