Although Africa still faces challenges related to internet access in rural areas, the rise of mobile broadband has significantly improved internet connectivity.
In urban areas, internet adoption has surged, with millions of people accessing the web for social media, online shopping, education, and business.
However, Africa still lags behind other regions in terms of overall internet penetration. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), internet penetration in Africa was about 39% in 2023, compared to 87% in Europe.
According to Statista, as of February 2025, 5.56 billion individuals worldwide were internet users, which amounted to 67.9 percent of the global population.
Of this total, 5.24 billion, or 63.9 percent of the world’s population, were social media users.
Africa’s internet adoption rate
The chart highlights three African nations among the top 25 for internet users: Nigeria (107M), Egypt (96.3M), and South Africa (50.8M).
Nigeria, ranked 10th globally, leads Africa in internet usage due to its large population and mobile-driven digital economy, despite infrastructure challenges.
Egypt (12th) benefits from strong urban connectivity and government-backed digital initiatives, marking North Africa as a tech leader.
South Africa (22nd) stands out for its advanced infrastructure and high penetration, with thriving e-commerce and online services.
However, the low presentation of African countries from this top-25 list reveals the digital divide still present on the continent.
Many African nations face barriers such as high data costs, limited rural coverage, low smartphone penetration, and infrastructural deficits.
According to the global list, the top five countries by internet users are China (1.11 billion), India (806 million), United States (322 million), Indonesia (212 million), and Brazil (183 million).
China and India lead due to their massive populations and expanding digital access. The U.S. has near-universal connectivity and leads in tech innovation.
Indonesia and Brazil show strong mobile-driven growth and rising digital engagement, especially in e-commerce and social media. Together, these nations dominate global internet usage.
In terms of global digital inclusion, Africa is still emerging. Yet, the presence of three African nations—two of which are in the top half of this global ranking (Nigeria and Egypt) —is a signal of growth potential.
With strategic investments in infrastructure, policy frameworks that support digital literacy, and broader affordability, the number of internet users across the continent is expected to grow significantly in the coming years.
