Broadband internet cost over 4% of Nigerians average Income

The 2017 Affordability Report of the Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI) has shown that Nigeria is one of the countries with high internet cost in the world.

The Alliance for Affordable Internet ()is a global coalition working hard towards ensuring affordability of broadband internet for everyone in the world.

The A4AI’s definition of affordable Internet is connoted by “1 for 2” affordability target, meaning 1GB of mobile broadband should cost 2% or less of average monthly income. While the report indicated it costs 4.4 percent for 500MB and 1GB for 7.63 percent of average monthly income in Nigeria.

To put that in perspective, most Nigerians part with as much as ₦1,370, if we’re to assume average monthly income across board is ₦18,000 (the country’s minimum wage), to get 1GB of data instead of ₦360 as per the affordability target.

As regards infrastructural development and access to Internet, Nigeria performed relatively well as it was ranked 13th of the 58 sampled countries and 3rd in the Africa, After Mauritius and Morocco. Nigeria’s ADI score stood at 56.58 out of 100, bettered only by those of Mauritius (61.70) and Morocco (57.75). When compared to other countries outside the continent however, these scores aren’t encouraging.

As per the ADI scores, only eight African countries have an average score. They are Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria, Botswana, Ivory Coast, Rwanda, South Africa and Ghana. The rest countries performed woefully.

Across the Africa, the report shows that only five countries have affordable internet, which are Sudan, Mauritius, Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco in that order.

On a continental level, Africa’s performance is below bar, though the average cost of broadband Internet had significantly reduced between 2013 and 2015 but it still has not marched up with other continents like Europe and Asia Pacific.

Of the 58 countries assessed in the report, an African country still pays as high as over 50 per cent of monthly income for 1 GB of broadband Internet - Sierra Leoneans pay 51.89 percent of average monthly income – for a 1GB data plan.

The Executive Director of the body, Sonia N. Jorge, noted as regards approach to easing cost of Internet in most countries, especially Africa. “What we need — now more than ever — is for policymakers to take the initiative to develop and implement proven good practices, alongside public access solutions that will enable connectivity for those that cannot afford to pay for data.”

Broadband internet cost over 4% of Nigerians average Income

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