Despite the introduction of advanced technologies like Starlink and 5G Technology, Africa continues to face challenges with slow internet speed. A recent study by Cable reveals that the Sub-Saharan region ranks 12th (second to last) in the worldwide broadband speed league table. Notably, Northern Africa is in the last position.

Cable collected data over a 12-month period that ended on June 30, 2023, conducting 1.3 billion speed tests in 220 countries and territories. However, certain countries, including Eritrea, North Korea, and the Central African Republic, were not included in the report due to limited sample data.

Cable: Chart showing internet speed by region

Jersey, Liechtenstein, Macau, Iceland, and Gibraltar lead the top 5 countries with the fastest broadband speeds, while Equatorial Guinea, East Timor, Syria, Yemen, and Afghanistan have the slowest network speeds.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, the average download speed is 12.11 Mbps, taking an average of 1 hour and 29 minutes to download a 5GB movie. Rwanda, South Africa, and Burkina Faso rank among the top half in the region, while Nigeria is placed 133rd globally with 20.83 Mbps.

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North Africa, known for its fintech potential, surprisingly has the slowest internet speed, averaging 9.81 Mbps. Morocco has the best internet speed in the region, while Libya offers the slowest.

The study highlights the urgent need for Africa to heavily invest in ICT infrastructure to increase network speeds and contribute to economic growth. Rwanda's success in boosting internet penetration through initiatives like Starlink and laptop distribution to teachers could serve as a model for other African countries struggling with slow internet speeds.