Top 10 Countries in Africa with the Most Expensive Internet Data: 2025 Rankings

Access to affordable internet has become a fundamental driver of modern development, connecting individuals to education, business, healthcare, and governance.

In today’s digital economy, the cost of mobile data significantly influences how people and communities participate in global opportunities.

However, the 2025 Global Relocate Internet Cost Ranking reveals persistent disparities between countries that have achieved widespread affordability and those still struggling with high data costs.

Globally, mobile internet prices vary considerably, reflecting differences in infrastructure investment, competition among providers, regulatory effectiveness, and overall economic stability. Countries such as Israel, Fiji, and Italy rank among the world’s most affordable, offering one gigabyte of data for less than a dollar. These nations benefit from robust digital infrastructure, efficient regulation, and thriving competition that keeps prices low. Their experience demonstrates how strategic investment and innovation can reduce barriers to connectivity and foster greater inclusion.

In contrast, many African nations continue to grapple with high internet costs despite growing demand for digital access. While some countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, and Malawi, have achieved progress through stronger competition and infrastructure expansion, others remain burdened by weak network coverage, high operational expenses, and dependence on imported technology.

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The continent’s most affordable data plans are typically found in North and East Africa, where countries such as Egypt, Morocco, and Kenya have benefited from supportive government policies and private-sector participation. These examples show that affordable internet access is achievable with deliberate infrastructure investment and regulatory reforms that promote competition.

Yet, the gap between Africa’s cheapest and most expensive markets remains wide. In many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, the cost of one gigabyte of data can consume a significant share of an average person’s income. This imbalance underscores the region’s enduring digital divide, where affordable connectivity remains a privilege rather than a universal service.

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High data prices not only limit communication but also restrict opportunities in education, entrepreneurship, and civic participation, all increasingly reliant on reliable internet access.

The 2025 findings highlight how affordability is closely tied to a country’s economic strength, governance, and level of telecom competition.

Nations with diversified economies and consistent infrastructure investment tend to deliver lower data prices and better connectivity. Conversely, those facing political instability or monopolistic markets often struggle to make internet access widely affordable.

The following ranking lists the top 10 African countries with the highest internet data costs in 2025, reflecting the ongoing challenge of bridging the continent’s digital divide.

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Top 10 African Countries with the Most Expensive Internet Data