A country’s internet quality is determined by factors influencing speed, stability, and overall performance, shaping how efficiently individuals, businesses, and institutions connect online for communication, work, and entertainment.
Despite advancements, many Africans continue to face challenges such as slow internet speeds, high data costs, and inconsistent network coverage, limiting access to vital digital services like online banking, e-commerce, and telemedicine.
Factors that shape internet penetration
One of the primary indicators of internet quality is download and upload speeds, which measure how fast data is transferred to and from the internet.
Other factors include Latency, or ping, which measures the time data takes to travel between a device and a server, affecting real-time applications like gaming and video calls. Lower latency ensures smooth communication, while high latency causes delays and lag.
Stability and consistency are crucial for reliable internet, preventing frequent disconnections or slowdowns that disrupt businesses and daily activities.
Coverage and availability also impact quality, with urban areas benefiting from fiber-optic networks while rural regions face limited access. The type of technology—fiber, 4G, 5G, or DSL—determines speed and reliability.
Lastly, packet loss and jitter can degrade performance, causing buffering in streaming and disruptions in online interactions.
The Digital Quality of Life index
The 2024 Surfshark Digital Quality of Life Index (DQL) evaluates 121 countries based on five key pillars: internet affordability, internet quality, e-infrastructure, e-security, and e-government.
These pillars are analyzed through 14 indicators, collectively measuring a country’s overall digital well-being.
The DQL Index reveals that African countries fall behind in digital quality of life, particularly in terms of internet quality, which includes both mobile and fixed broadband connections.
European countries dominated the top 10 positions in the index, with only 18 nations outside of Europe making it to the top 50.
African nations, on the other hand, performed poorly in the rankings, with the highest-ranked country placed at 66th
This report however, provides insight into how nations compare in terms of internet quality in Africa.
The table below highlights the top 10 African countries with the best internet quality, according to the DQL index.
| Rank | Country | Internet quality |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Mauritius |
0.361 |
|
2 |
Ivory Coast |
0.351 |
|
3 |
Egypt |
0.344 |
|
4 |
Algeria |
0.337 |
|
5 |
South Africa |
0.336 |
|
6 |
Senegal |
0.325 |
|
7 |
Burkina Faso |
0.322 |
|
8 |
Ghana |
0.304 |
|
9 |
Morocco |
0.302 |
|
10 |
Nigeria |
0.295 |
The table highlights the varying levels of internet quality across African countries, with Mauritius leading the region.
Ranked first with an internet quality score of 0.361, Mauritius stands out due to its well-developed digital infrastructure and reliable internet services.
This is followed closely by Ivory Coast (0.351) and Egypt (0.344), both of which have made significant strides in improving internet access and speed.
Algeria (0.337) and South Africa (0.336) round out the top five, demonstrating that while there are notable improvements in some African countries, the continent as a whole still faces challenges in terms of internet quality.
