Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country and one of its largest economies, ranked 24th in digital development, according to a recent report by Statisense.
The report, released on Thursday, evaluated African nations based on their Information and Communication Technology (ICT) development index, offering insights into the progress and challenges in digital growth across the region.
Despite its size and economic influence, Nigeria was outpaced by smaller nations, including several from North Africa, in digital transformation.
Topping the list was Libya with an ICT index score of 88.1, followed closely by Morocco and Seychelles, which scored 86.8 and 84.7, respectively.
Mauritius, South Africa, and Algeria also featured among the top performers, emphasizing the dominance of North African countries in this sector.
Nigeria, with an ICT index score of 46.9, trails far behind its neighbors Ghana, which ranks 15th with a score of 66.2, and Kenya, ranking 18th with a score of 58.5.
The report highlights that while Nigeria has made strides in increasing internet penetration, which stood at approximately 43.53 percent as of March 2024, the country’s overall digital infrastructure remains underdeveloped.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has set ambitious goals for the nation, aiming for 70 percent broadband penetration by 2025 as part of its National Broadband Plan.
Despite these efforts, Nigeria’s current digital standing reflects the significant challenges it faces in achieving that target.
Reacting to the report, Abiola Jimoh, co-founder of the tech firm XChangeBOX, noted that Nigeria’s digital development has been stunted by several factors.
“While Nigeria initially saw a boost in mobile technology and data usage, there has been a shift towards fiber optics in recent years,” Jimoh explained. “However, the high cost of implementing fiber optics, along with the reliance on imported components, continues to be a major obstacle.”
Jimoh also pointed to inconsistent policy directions and political instability as further deterrents to investment in Nigeria’s technology sector.
He emphasized that a stable policy environment and increased local production of digital infrastructure components could significantly boost the country’s ICT development.
In another report from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) last month, Nigeria was ranked relatively high in its readiness for digital transformation, with a score of 71 percent.
However, the ITU also acknowledged the country’s significant disparities in digital access and infrastructure, calling for urgent improvements.
To bridge this digital divide, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has outlined ambitious initiatives aimed at transforming the nation’s digital landscape.
One such initiative is the deployment of an additional 90,000 kilometers of fiber optic cables, expanding Nigeria’s existing network from 35,000 kilometers to 125,000 kilometers.
This expansion, managed through a special-purpose vehicle, is expected to enhance internet connectivity and position Nigeria as a leader in digital infrastructure on the continent.
Once completed, Nigeria’s fiber optic network will be the third-largest in Africa, behind South Africa and Egypt, providing improved connectivity to over 200,000 institutions and contributing to GDP growth.
While Nigeria’s path to digital transformation is marked with challenges, the initiatives underway represent a significant step toward improving its ICT index ranking and unlocking the economic potential of its large, youthful population.
