Africa’s internet speed is rapidly improving — Ookla Speedtest Global Index

A number of African countries have surged in global rankings that gauge internet speeds at telcos and internet service providers, according to the Speedtest Global Index of median mobile internet download speeds by Ookla, a global network intelligence and connectivity research firm.

As investments into network infrastructure and deployment on the continent intensify, by the end of 2022, seven African countries moved up by more than five positions in the Speedtest Global Index, while seven others upped their fixed broadband speed rankings by a similar number of spots. “Internet connectivity continues to speed ahead for people around the world, especially as countries prioritize and improve mobile and fixed broadband networks,” said researchers of Ookla Speedtest Global Index 2022. Over the first 11 months of 2022, fixed broadband speeds grew faster (28%) than mobile download speeds (17%) compared to the Index’s November 2021 figures.

During the period under review, lowly-ranked African countries made the most significant strides. Rwanda made the biggest leap in fixed broadband speeds, with the result that its position in the global rankings rose by 47 places. The country’s internet penetration stood at 60.6% by the close of 2022, with its international bandwidth capacity rising by 29.4%.

Meanwhile, Malawi moved nine positions to 148 while Djibouti and Congo jumped seven slots to 153 and 103 respectively, while Mauritius, Lesotho, and Guinea improved their rankings by five places each to settle at 113, 127 and 154. Burkina Faso, previously among the lowest ranking countries, moved up the most places in Africa’s mobile internet speeds, shifting 22 places to rank 102.