The internet has become a vital part of our lives, with people all over the world relying on it for work, communication, entertainment, education, and business. Data plans are important as they dictate internet accessibility. Expensive data plans may be off-putting and curtail people's access to the internet. However, data cost is not the only factor that affects internet accessibility.
Cable collected and analyzed data from 6,313 mobile data plans across 230 countries and territories in search of the countries with the cheapest mobile data in the world. The data was collected from 23rd October and 28th November 2018. Cable then calculated the average cost of one gigabyte (1GB) and compared the data to form an official ranking.
The results showed that the global average was $8.53 for 1GB of data. India had the cheapest mobile data average ($0.26 for 1GB) and Zimbabwe had the most expensive ($75.20 for 1GB). Asian countries made up half of the top 20 cheapest countries. Below are the African countries with the cheapest mobile data (per 1GB).
1. Rwanda
Rwanda came in at number 5 overall. It had the cheapest mobile data in Africa with an average of $0.56. The cheapest plan was $0.04 while the most expensive plan was $2.78.
2. Sudan
Sudan came in at number 6 overall with an average of $0.68. The cheapest plan was $0.29 while the most expensive plan was $1.63.
3. Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
The DRC came in at number 10 overall with an average of $0.88. The cheapest plan was at $0.05 while the most expensive plan was at $5.05
4. Egypt
Egypt came in at number 24 overall with an average of $1.49. The cheapest plan was $0.48 while the most expensive plan was $4.55.
5. Ghana
Ghana came in at number 25 overall with an average of $1.56. The cheapest plan was $0.34 while the most expensive plan was $4.75.
6. Morocco and Western Sahara
Morocco and Western Sahara both tied at number 28 overall with an average of $1.66. The cheapest plan was $0.58 while the most expensive plan was $5.25.
7. Cameroon
Cameroon came in at number 30 overall with an average of $1.71. The cheapest plan was $0.34 while the most expensive plan was $6.89.
8. Guinea
Guinea came in at number 38 overall with an average of $1.94. The cheapest plan was $1.20 while the most expensive plan was $2.64.
9. Burundi
Burundi came in at number 39 overall with an average of $2.00. The cheapest plan was $0.37 while the most expensive plan was $3.70.
10. Nigeria
Nigeria came in at number 44 overall with an average of $2.22. The cheapest plan was $0.26 while the most expensive plan was $13.79.
Header Image Credit: Daily Nation