Over the past two years, an internet connection has fast become an essential need for the whole world. With the virtualization of many businesses, systems, and education, a fast internet connection is paramount. We rely much more on our smartphones and computers to connect with other people and get work done, so many people may agree that slow internet speeds can be an extreme annoyance and hinder productivity.
Efficient internet speed is something many African countries have prioritized and varies from one country to the next and is affected by several factors. Firstly, a country's internet speed depends on the type of cabling used and the closeness to submarine cables. Interestingly enough, size matters; the size of the country, that is. It is much cheaper to upgrade a smaller country's cables than it is a larger one. Lastly, the government and how much it prioritizes investing in newer technology dramatically affects the quality of a country's internet speed.
Here is the top 10 list of African countries with the fastest internet speeds for 2021 according to allafrica.com:
1. Madagascar
Madagascar tops this list with an average internet speed of 32,07 Mbps, which puts the country ahead of developed countries like the United Kingdom and Australia, placing them 33rd globally. Madagascar's internet speeds have kept them at the top since 2018, attributed to the Eastern Africa Submarine Cable System. This system supplies the country with fiber broadband speeds.
Madagascar's top internet service providers (ISP): Blueline, DTS, Netclub, Orange Madagascar
2. Cape Verde
With an average internet speed of 27,53 Mbps, Cape Verde comes in at the second position in Africa. Internet speeds in this country have tremendously improved since 2017 through joint efforts from the government and ISPs like Vizocom increasing internet access.
Cape Verde's top ISPs: CV Multimedia, Nosi EPE Cape Verde, Secure Internet LLC
3. Seychelles
The popular holiday destination averages at a speed of 26,76 Mbps, ranking the country third in Africa.
Seychelle's top ISPs: Amarutu Technology Ltd, Asintelvision, Cable and Wireless Limited
4. Ghana
Following an absence from the list in 2019, Ghana has returned with an average speed of 23,98 Mbps. As a result, Internet service providers in Ghana constantly compete to provide the country with the best connectivity and be considered and be considered the country's best ISP.
Ghana's top ISPs: Vodafone Ghana, Airtel Ghana, SCANCOM Ghana, MTN
5. South Africa
South Africa has secured a top 3 spot for the past few years; however, the country has fallen a few spots due to improvements implemented in other countries. As a result, South Africa currently places 5th despite being responsible for 60% of Africa's internet traffic.
South Africa's top ISPs: MTN, Vodacom, Cell C, Telkom
6. Gabon
Gabon takes the 6th position on the list with an average speed of 21,89 Mbps which is a significant improvement for the country through support from the World Bank and the e-Gabon project geared at promoting modernization.
Gabon’s top ISPs: Artel Gabon, Internet Gabon, Moov Gabon, Solsi
7. Liberia
Liberia has made giant leaps since 2012, previously relying solely on satellite connectivity. Now the country averages internet speeds of 21,34 Mbps.
Liberia's top ISPs: Orange, Lonestar Cell
8. Togo
Togo ranks 8th with average speeds of 20,14 Mbps which is still set to improve through governmental prioritization to increase Togo's internet coverage.
Togo’s top ISPs: BIB, CAFE, Togo Telecom, IMET
9. Mauritius
Mauritius now averages 10,24 Mbps which is a significant increase from the access previously available in the country, placing them 9th in the ranks.
Mauritius’s top ISPs: ExpertByte, iWayAfrica, State Informatics
10. Senegal
Closing out the list at number 10, Senegal provides an average of 18,65 Mbps, mainly through a vast improvement in the country's economy and telecommunications in recent years.
Senegal's top ISPs: Arc, Orange Senegal