As of 2022, Airtel had the largest data-only broadband subscriber base in Nigeria. This referred to over 538,800 individuals, followed by MTN with over 41,200 subscriptions. According to the source, this type of mobile subscription provides access to the open internet through hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) and excludes voice services.

The number of mobile broadband connections per 100 inhabitants in Nigeria was forecast to continuously increase between 2024 and 2029 by in total 9.5 connections (+20.77 percent). After the eighth consecutive increasing year, the mobile broadband penetration is estimated to reach 55.19 connections and therefore a new peak in 2029. Mobile broadband connections include cellular connections with a download speed of at least 256 kbit/s (without satellite or fixed-wireless connections). Cellular Internet-of-Things (IoT) or machine-to-machine (M2M) connections are excluded. The shown data are an excerpt of Statista's Key Market Indicators (KMI). The KMI are a collection of primary and secondary indicators on the macro-economic, demographic and technological environment in up to 150 countries and regions worldwide. All indicators are sourced from international and national statistical offices, trade associations and the trade press and they are processed to generate comparable data sets (see supplementary notes under details for more information).Find more key insights for the number of mobile broadband connections per 100 inhabitants in countries like Ivory Coast and Senegal.

Nigeria NG: Fixed Broadband Internet Subscribers: per 100 People data was reported at 0.039 Ratio in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.058 Ratio for 2016. Nigeria NG: Fixed Broadband Internet Subscribers: per 100 People data is updated yearly, averaging 0.037 Ratio from Dec 2005 (Median) to 2017, with 11 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.062 Ratio in 2010 and a record low of 0.000 Ratio in 2005. Nigeria NG: Fixed Broadband Internet Subscribers: per 100 People data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Nigeria – Table NG.World Bank: Telecommunication. Fixed broadband subscriptions refers to fixed subscriptions to high-speed access to the public Internet (a TCP/IP connection), at downstream speeds equal to, or greater than, 256 kbit/s. This includes cable modem, DSL, fiber-to-the-home/building, other fixed (wired)-broadband subscriptions, satellite broadband and terrestrial fixed wireless broadband. This total is measured irrespective of the method of payment. It excludes subscriptions that have access to data communications (including the Internet) via mobile-cellular networks. It should include fixed WiMAX and any other fixed wireless technologies. It includes both residential subscriptions and subscriptions for organizations.; ; International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication/ICT Development Report and database.; Weighted average; Please cite the International Telecommunication Union for third-party use of these data.

Fixed broadband subscriptions of Nigeria sank by 33.27% from 110,834 number in 2017 to 73,965 number in 2018. Since the 587.98% jump in 2016, fixed broadband subscriptions plummeted by 31.47% in 2018. Total fixed (wired) broadband Internet subscriptions refers to subscriptions to high-speed access to the public Internet (a TCP/IP connection), at downstream speeds equal to, or greater than, 256 kbit/s. This can include for example cable modem, DSL, fibre-to-the-home/building and other fixed (wired) broadband subscriptions. This total is measured irrespective of the method of payment. It excludes subscriptions that have access to data communications (including the Internet) via mobile cellular networks. If countries use a different definition of broadband, this should be indicated in a note. It should exclude technologies listed under wireless broadband category.

Internet user penetration in Nigeria saw a slight increase between the years 2018 and 2022, going from around 26 percent to over 38 percent. As of 2022, the estimated number of internet users in the country was more than 83 million. Moreover, the share of the Nigerian population using the internet is expected to grow to approximately 48 percent by 2027.

Mobile internet user penetration in Nigeria As for mobile internet user penetration in Nigeria, there is a slight increase too. As of 2023, around 40 percent of the Nigerian population was already using a mobile device to access the internet. In 2027, 51 percent of all internet users are expected to use a mobile device for internet access.

How much does mobile data cost in Nigeria? Mobile internet user penetration rate partly depends on the price of mobile data. As of August 2023, the average price for 1 GB of mobile data in Nigeria was 0.39 U.S. dollars. The cheapest price for mobile internet in the country was 0.13 U.S. dollars, whereas the most expensive price was 1.64 U.S. dollars for 1GB.

The population share with mobile internet access in Nigeria was forecast to continuously increase between 2024 and 2029 by in total 16.8 percentage points. After the ninth consecutive increasing year, the mobile internet penetration is estimated to reach 38.94 percent and therefore a new peak in 2029. Notably, the population share with mobile internet access of was continuously increasing over the past years.The penetration rate refers to the share of the total population having access to the internet via a mobile broadband connection.The shown data are an excerpt of Statista's Key Market Indicators (KMI). The KMI are a collection of primary and secondary indicators on the macro-economic, demographic and technological environment in up to 150 countries and regions worldwide. All indicators are sourced from international and national statistical offices, trade associations and the trade press and they are processed to generate comparable data sets (see supplementary notes under details for more information).

The population share with mobile internet access in Africa was forecast to continuously increase between 2024 and 2029 by in total 21.7 percentage points. After the eighteenth consecutive increasing year, the mobile internet penetration is estimated to reach 46.22 percent and therefore a new peak in 2029. The penetration rate refers to the share of the total population having access to the internet via a mobile broadband connection.The shown data are an excerpt of Statista's Key Market Indicators (KMI). The KMI are a collection of primary and secondary indicators on the macro-economic, demographic and technological environment in up to 150 countries and regions worldwide. All indicators are sourced from international and national statistical offices, trade associations and the trade press and they are processed to generate comparable data sets (see supplementary notes under details for more information).Find more key insights for the population share with mobile internet access in countries like Caribbean and Europe.

This statistic shows a ranking of the estimated number of mobile broadband connections per 100 inhabitants in 2020 in Africa, differentiated by country. Mobile broadband connections include cellular connections with a download speed of at least 256 kbit/s (without satellite or fixed-wireless connections). Cellular Internet-of-Things (IoT) or machine-to-machine (M2M) connections are excluded.The shown data are an excerpt of Statista's Key Market Indicators (KMI). The KMI are a collection of primary and secondary indicators on the macro-economic, demographic and technological environment in more than 150 countries and regions worldwide. All input data are sourced from international institutions, national statistical offices, and trade associations. All data has been are processed to generate comparable datasets (see supplementary notes under details for more information).

As of 2022, Nigeria had nearly 84 million internet users. This figure is projected to grow to 117 million internet users in 2027. Moreover, internet penetration amounted to over 38 percent of the population in 2022 and is set to reach 48 percent in 2027.

Internet usage in Nigeria

Nigeria is one of the most populous countries worldwide. As of 2023, there were almost 64 million mobile internet users in Nigeria. Mobile phone internet usage is particularly popular. The country is considered a mobile-first market where infrastructure and online usage development skipped wide-ranging desktop PC adoption and went straight to mobile internet usage via inexpensive smartphones. With more than three-quarters of Nigerian web traffic being generated via smartphones, Nigeria ranks eighth on the list of African countries based on the share of traffic via mobile. Other African markets with a similar share of mobile online traffic are Mali, Gambia, and the Central African Repiblic.

Internet freedom in Nigeria

According to the Freedom House Index, Nigeria ranks fourth in Africa with Malawi , registering 60 index points in the internet freedom index in 2023. The country has very strong libel laws. Subsequently, Nigerian internet users do not often feel free to express themselves online fully.

The number of internet users in Africa was forecast to continuously increase between 2024 and 2029 by in total 327.8 million users (+51.52 percent). After the fifteenth consecutive increasing year, the number of users is estimated to reach 964.1 million users and therefore a new peak in 2029. Notably, the number of internet users of was continuously increasing over the past years.Depicted is the estimated number of individuals in the country or region at hand, that use the internet. As the datasource clarifies, connection quality and usage frequency are distinct aspects, not taken into account here.The shown data are an excerpt of Statista's Key Market Indicators (KMI). The KMI are a collection of primary and secondary indicators on the macro-economic, demographic and technological environment in up to 150 countries and regions worldwide. All indicators are sourced from international and national statistical offices, trade associations and the trade press and they are processed to generate comparable data sets (see supplementary notes under details for more information).Find more key insights for the number of internet users in countries like Europe and the Americas.

30,7 (por cada 100 habitantes) in 2011. Number of subscriptions to mobile cellular networks with access to data communications (e.g. the Internet) at broadband downstream speeds (here defined as greater than or equal to 256 kbit/s). Note that this refers to potential mobile broadband subscriptions and not active subscriptions.

The number of smartphone users in Africa was forecast to continuously increase between 2024 and 2029 by in total 353.1 million users (+109.45 percent). After the eighteenth consecutive increasing year, the smartphone user base is estimated to reach 675.71 million users and therefore a new peak in 2029. Smartphone users here are limited to internet users of any age using a smartphone. The shown figures have been derived from survey data that has been processed to estimate missing demographics.The shown data are an excerpt of Statista's Key Market Indicators (KMI). The KMI are a collection of primary and secondary indicators on the macro-economic, demographic and technological environment in up to 150 countries and regions worldwide. All indicators are sourced from international and national statistical offices, trade associations and the trade press and they are processed to generate comparable data sets (see supplementary notes under details for more information).Find more key insights for the number of smartphone users in countries like Caribbean and Europe.

This statistic shows a ranking of the estimated number of mobile internet users in 2020 in Africa, differentiated by country.The shown data are an excerpt of Statista's Key Market Indicators (KMI). The KMI are a collection of primary and secondary indicators on the macro-economic, demographic and technological environment in more than 150 countries and regions worldwide. All input data are sourced from international institutions, national statistical offices, and trade associations. All data has been are processed to generate comparable datasets (see supplementary notes under details for more information).

The percentage of households with internet access in Africa was forecast to continuously increase between 2024 and 2029 by in total 14.5 percentage points. After the twenty-eighth consecutive increasing year, the internet penetration is estimated to reach 68.81 percent and therefore a new peak in 2029. Notably, the percentage of households with internet access of was continuously increasing over the past years.Depicted is the share of housholds with internet access in the country or region at hand.The shown data are an excerpt of Statista's Key Market Indicators (KMI). The KMI are a collection of primary and secondary indicators on the macro-economic, demographic and technological environment in up to 150 countries and regions worldwide. All indicators are sourced from international and national statistical offices, trade associations and the trade press and they are processed to generate comparable data sets (see supplementary notes under details for more information).Find more key insights for the percentage of households with internet access in countries like Caribbean and Asia.

This statistic shows a ranking of the estimated number of households with internet access at home in 2020 in Africa, differentiated by country.The shown data are an excerpt of Statista's Key Market Indicators (KMI). The KMI are a collection of primary and secondary indicators on the macro-economic, demographic and technological environment in more than 150 countries and regions worldwide. All input data are sourced from international institutions, national statistical offices, and trade associations. All data has been are processed to generate comparable datasets (see supplementary notes under details for more information).

Between January and October 2020, the number of Airtel internet subscribers in Nigeria experienced an increase of four million users, according to data published by the Nigerian company Nairametrics. As of October 1, the mobile telecommunication operator counted over 40 million internet subscribers. Airtel is the third largest mobile telecom operator in Nigeria. The company is based in India and provides services in several countries from Africa and South Asia.

In 2022, the total data-only broadband subscriber base in Nigeria amounted to over 598,700. This increased from the previous year. Airtel had the largest number of subscriptions. According to the source, a mobile subscription gives access to the open internet through hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) and excludes voice services.

As of January 2024, Morocco had an internet penetration of approximately 91 percent, making it the country with the highest internet penetration in Africa. Libya ranked second, with around 88 percent, followed by Seychelles with roughly 87 percent. On the other hand, South Sudan, Burundi, and The Central African Republic had the lowest prevalence of internet among their population.

Varying but growing levels of internet adoption

Although internet usage varies significantly across African countries, the overall number of internet users on the continent jumped to around 646 million from close to 181 million in 2014. Of those, almost a third lived in Nigeria and Egypt only, two of the three most populous countries on the continent. Furthermore, internet users are expected to surge, reaching over 1.1 billion users by 2029.

Mobile devices dominate web traffic

Most internet adoptions on the continent occurred recently. This is among the reasons mobile phones increasingly play a significant role in connecting African populations. As of early January 2024, around 74 percent of the web traffic in Africa was via mobile phones, over 14 percentage points higher than the world average. Furthermore, almost all African countries have a higher web usage on mobile devices compared to other devices, with rates as high as 92 percent in Sudan. This is partly due to mobile connections being cheaper and not requiring the infrastructure needed for traditional desktop PCs with fixed-line internet connections.

As of February 2025, China ranked first among the countries with the most internet users worldwide. The world's most populated country had 1.11 billion internet users, more than triple the third-ranked United States, with just around 322 million internet users. Overall, all BRIC markets had over two billion internet users, accounting for four of the ten countries with more than 100 million internet users. Worldwide internet usage As of October 2024, there were more than five billion internet users worldwide. There are, however, stark differences in user distribution according to region. Eastern Asia is home to 1.34 billion internet users, while African and Middle Eastern regions had lower user figures. Moreover, the urban areas showed a higher percentage of internet access than rural areas. Internet use in China China ranks first in the list of countries with the most internet users. Due to its ongoing and fast-paced economic development and a cultural inclination towards technology, more than a billion of the estimated 1.4 billion population in China are online. As of the third quarter of 2023, around 87 percent of Chinese internet users stated using WeChat, the most popular social network in the country. On average, Chinese internet users spent five hours and 33 minutes online daily.

As of January 2024, Nigeria had more than 103 million internet users - the highest number reported all over Africa. Meanwhile, Egypt ranked second with over 82 million users. The majority of web traffic in leading digital markets in Africa originated from mobile devices - in Nigeria, one of the countries with the largest number of internet users worldwide, 86.2 percent of web traffic was generated via smartphones and roughly 13.3 percent via PC devices. This is due in part to the fact that mobile connections are much cheaper and do not require the infrastructure that is needed for traditional desktop PCs with fixed-line internet connections.

Anticipating remarkable growth: Africa's internet user surge and projected milestones The projected trend for Africa indicates a consistent rise in internet users from 2024 to 2029. It will have a collective addition of 337.3 million users (equivalent to a growth of 51.79 percent). Following fifteen successive years of growth, the user count is anticipated to reach a record high of 1.1 billion by 2029. Furthermore, the online penetration rate on the continent was 43 percent – which was below the global average, measured at around 68 percent.

Unveiling internet trends The region has witnessed a steady increase in internet users over the years. In January 2024, Southern Africa stood out as the African region with the most substantial internet penetration rate, reaching approximately 73.1 percent. The proportion of individuals accessing the internet in this part of Africa and Northern Africa surpassed the global average (66.2 percent). Moreover, Morocco boasted an impressive internet penetration of about 91 percent, securing its position as Africa's foremost country. Libya held the second position with a penetration rate of approximately 88 percent, followed closely by Seychelles at around 86.7 percent.