Despite a thriving tech scene in major cities and a young, digitally curious population, Africa is still playing catch-up when it comes to connectivity. As of 2024, just 38% of the continent’s population was online—far below the global average of 68%, according to the International Telecommunications Union ’s (ITU) latest State of Digital Development in Africa  report. 

This persistent digital divide isn’t merely a tech problem; it’s a development crisis. Every unconnected community represents untapped potential—for education, healthcare, e-commerce, and civic engagement. While much of the world races ahead into AI-driven futures, millions across Africa remain stuck buffering—or worse, left completely offline. 

The African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa (2020–2030) lays out a bold vision: an inclusive, integrated digital society where no one is left behind. Universal connectivity is the goal. 

But getting there is far from simple. 

One of the most stubborn challenges on this journey is Affordability. For millions, the internet isn’t just out of reach; it’s out of budget. When affordability becomes the barrier, digital access turns into a privilege. And in a region where nearly half the population survives on less than $1.90 a day, that barrier becomes a wall. 

This TechTalk Thursday article breaks down how affordability stifles progress and acts as a multi-layered barrier to digital inclusion —and what needs to change to bring everyone online.  

The True Cost of Going Digital 

The ITU report pinpoints affordability as the key bottleneck in bridging Africa’s digital divide. Affordability is a layered and complex challenge that cuts across multiple dimensions of daily life, making digital participation difficult—if not impossible—for millions. 

But this is not a single-issue problem. From devices and electricity to skills and social norms, affordability touches almost every aspect of inclusion. Here, we unpack cross-cutting areas where affordability plays a decisive role in shaping who gets to participate in the digital economy—and who gets left behind.  

Devices: The First Hurdle 

One of the most immediate and visible barriers to digital inclusion in Africa is the high cost of devices. For many, the shift from basic 2G feature phones to smartphones that can access 4G or 5G networks is a significant financial challenge. In fact, the cost of a smartphone in Africa can represent nearly 30% of an individual’s monthly salary. For many Africans, this makes the leap to digital participation feel out of reach. 

According to a 2023 report from the Gartner Group, the average cost of a smartphone in sub-Saharan Africa is about $150 USD—an amount that is often well beyond the budget of low-income households. In countries where the average monthly income hovers around $100 or less, this price tag becomes an insurmountable barrier to access. In fact, a GSMA  study found that the price of a smartphone is the most significant affordability barrier for people in rural and underserved areas. 

With the rise of smartphones as essential tools for accessing not just the internet but vital services like e-commerce, banking, education, and healthcare, the inability to afford a device is more than just a matter of convenience. It’s a barrier to social and economic participation. 

In 2024, less than 10% of people in rural sub-Saharan Africa owned a smartphone, compared to more than 60% of people in urban areas. This digital device divide creates a significant gap in access to opportunities, deepening the divide between urban and rural, rich and poor. 

Data & Connectivity 

Even when devices are in hand, the cost of staying connected can be just as prohibitive. Mobile data—the lifeline of digital access for most Africans—remains significantly more expensive than global standards. In 2024, the median price of a basic 2GB mobile broadband plan was 4.2% of gross national income (GNI) per capita, according to the ITU. While that marks a modest improvement from 4.6% the previous year, it’s still more than double the UN Broadband Commission’s affordability target of 2%. 

To put it in perspective, in 29 out of 42 African countries, the cost of mobile data remains above this 2% target. And in 17 countries, it climbs beyond 5%, creating a stark divide between those who can afford regular connectivity and those who cannot. 

Fixed broadband seems worse. The median cost of a fixed broadband subscription was a staggering 15% of GNI per capita in 2024. For households living below or near the poverty line, these costs are not just inconvenient—they are impossible. This financial burden disproportionately impacts lower-income groups, especially in rural areas. While mobile broadband prices have decreased significantly—from 7.3% of GNI per capita in 2018 to 3.9% in 2024—the drop still doesn’t bring prices close enough to the affordability benchmark. 

Angela Wamola of GSMA clearly describes this in a nutshell: 

Smart devices are still treated as luxury items in many African countries, attracting hefty custom duties—on average, about 64% of a device’s cost goes to customs. Add to that another 58% in excise duties on data, and the result is a double blow to affordability. If we want true digital transformation, we must tackle both device and data costs together. That means developing models that make devices affordable, especially for rural communities where household incomes are low and access is limited.

– Angela Wamola, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa, GSMA  

Digital Skills: When Learning Comes at a Price 

Without the ability to navigate the digital world confidently, connectivity means little. And in Africa, the gap in digital skills is wide—and deeply rooted in affordability. According to multiple reports, poverty has been identified as the very first barrier to digital literacy on the continent. In other words, learning how to participate in the digital economy often comes with a price tag that many simply cannot afford. 

This issue is particularly acute in rural communities and among vulnerable populations, where access to quality education is already a challenge. Even when digital tools are available, many lack the training to use them effectively limiting their ability to apply for jobs, access healthcare information, or pursue education online. 

Digital upskilling programs, where they exist, frequently come with costs. Some charge fees directly, while others incur indirect expenses like transportation, or even taking time off from work to attend. For low-income families, these are trade-offs they often cannot make. 

Online education—often seen as the great equalizer—has its own gatekeepers. Many e-learning platforms and courses are paywalled, offering only limited access for free.  And let’s not forget the hidden cost of learning online: data. Even free courses require streaming video content, downloading materials, or participating in virtual sessions—all of which consume significant amounts of data. For someone already struggling to afford a basic 2GB monthly plan, the idea of pursuing digital skills online becomes nearly impossible. 

Infrastructure & Electricity: A Prerequisite 

Behind every successful digital connection is something far more basic—but just as vital: electricity. Yet in many parts of Africa, consistent power supply remains elusive, turning the dream of universal connectivity into a daily struggle. 

While major cities enjoy growing internet access and expanding infrastructure, rural and underserved communities face compounded barriers—not just to digital tools, but to the energy needed to power them. According to the UN, over 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity, with rural areas disproportionately affected. 

For these communities, digital infrastructure means little without the electricity to make it work. Devices can’t be charged, routers can’t stay on, and digital learning centers go dark more often than not. Even mobile towers—critical to extending mobile broadband coverage—depend on stable power sources. Where electricity is unreliable, maintaining consistent connectivity becomes expensive and inefficient. 

And when power is available, it comes at a price. Many families rely on diesel generators, solar kits or pay-per-use battery systems to stay connected. These alternatives often have steep upfront or ongoing costs, adding another layer of financial strain on households already grappling with the cost of devices, data, and skills.    

The Cost of Access: Digital Services and Platforms 

Even when Africans overcome the hurdles of devices, data, and digital skills, another challenge looms—gaining meaningful access to the very platforms and services that could transform their lives. 

Public services like digital ID registration, e-governance portals, and online tax systems may be marketed as “free,” but in reality, they come with hidden costs: data usage, the need for a functional device, and the literacy to navigate often complex systems.  

In healthcare, telemedicine promises remote consultations and access to specialists, yet it hinges on access to a smart device, stable connectivity, and the skills to use them—three things many rural or low-income families lack. And for people with disabilities, the situation is even more complex. Assistive technologies like screen readers or customized input devices are essential for accessibility but often come with hefty price tags, effectively excluding many who need them most. 

In entertainment and media, online content designed to keep Africans engaged also comes at a cost. Streaming platforms, digital newspapers, and other content providers often require subscription fees or data-heavy access, pricing many out of the opportunity to benefit from tailored content that resonates with their local realities. As a result, even when the content exists to inspire, educate, or entertain, it is often out of reach for the very people it seeks to serve. 

In every direction, affordability is the thread that connects and constrains access. Until this root challenge is addressed, the promise of digital transformation in Africa will remain out of reach for millions.  

Conclusion: Affordability is the Frontline of Inclusion 

Africa’s digital future holds immense promise—but only if it is accessible to all. From devices and data to digital skills, electricity, and essential online services, the true cost of connectivity goes far beyond just getting online. It touches every part of life and opportunity. 

Affordability isn’t just an economic issue—it’s a structural barrier that determines who gets to participate in the digital world and who gets left behind. When staying connected means choosing between internet access and daily necessities, digital inclusion becomes a privilege instead of a right. 

To bridge this divide, we must treat affordability not as a footnote, but as the frontline of Africa’s digital transformation. That means investing in low-cost infrastructure, subsidizing devices and data for the most vulnerable, scaling digital literacy programs, and designing policies that prioritize access for all—not just the few. 

Governments must also reframe how they approach the digital economy. The communications sector should not be viewed solely as a revenue-generating cash cow. At GITEX Africa 2025, our Chief Editor & Founder, Akim Benamara, had a conversation with Emmanuel Manasseh from the ITU (as part of our upcoming signature video interview series). The discussion zeroed in on a critical factor shaping Africa’s digital future: political will. Manasseh didn’t mince words when he emphasized how essential it is for governments to step up if we are to make connectivity truly affordable across the continent.  

We need strategies that drive affordability—and that’s impossible without strong political will. At the same time, we must avoid duplicating infrastructure investments. Digital broadband mapping is a key project that can help identify existing gaps, so instead of repeating efforts, we can focus on filling those gaps.

– Emmanuel Manasseh, Regional Director for Africa, International Telecommunications Union (ITU) 

Also, overpricing vital digital resources like spectrum, or piling on taxes for devices and services, only pushes access further out of reach for the very citizens these systems are meant to empower. 

As John Omo, Secretary General of the African Telecommunications Union, put it: 

The higher the price of spectrum or a resource, for example, is passed on to the consumer. That tradition has been carried through because while other facets of our economy are struggling, the ICT industry is doing a lot better—and so governments still see it as a revenue-earning opportunity. Unfortunately, we see some crazy taxation regimes where governments try to get as much as possible—either by way of income tax, excise duty, or value-added tax on certain services and platforms.

– John Omo, Secretary General, African Telecommunications Union

To truly advance inclusion, tax policies must be guided by access goals—not just income generation.  

But this responsibility doesn’t rest solely with governments and development agencies. The private sector also has a pivotal role to play. Companies building for Africa must do so with affordability at the core—not as an afterthought, but as a guiding principle. 

Take Radisys  and Gio’s work in India, for example. As the CEO of Radisys told us at MWC25: 

“What Gio and Radisys have done together in India is creating phenomenal affordability for the mass population. We focused on the total economics of providing connectivity—from the network side to the consumer product side—and this is what we want to take to Africa… devices, network connectivity, and a complete model designed with affordability in mind.” 

– Arun Bhikshesvaran, CEO, Radisys 

This kind of thinking—systems built from the ground up to be accessible—needs to become the norm, not the exception. 

Because in a truly connected Africa, every voice counts, every dream has a platform, and no one is left buffering in the margins.