71 Percent Of Nigerians Lack Access To Regular Internet - Report

The Groupe Special Mobile Association (GSMA) recent report have revealed that a significant 71% of Nigerians do not have regular access to mobile internet.

In the report, “While 29 per cent of Nigerians are regularly using mobile internet, there remains untapped potential; 71 per cent are not accessing these services regularly. An improved policy environment has the potential to help the industry boost coverage and adoption, resulting in 15 million additional internet users by 2028.

"However, the sector faces challenges to infrastructure deployment."

This was disclosed during the report’s launch in Abuja, highlighting a critical gap in digital connectivity amidst ongoing discussions about possible tariff increases by Nigerian telecom operators.

The GSMA report also explained the challenges hindering the expansion of telecom coverage, which include cumbersome and costly rights-of-way acquisition processes and a complex tax environment. These factors collectively make it difficult for the industry to sustain investment levels.

However, despite these hurdles, it expressed an optimistic view, saying Nigeria could add 15 million internet users by 2028 with appropriate policy adjustments. It emphasized that achieving universal access to digital connectivity hinges on a wider digital transformation of the Nigerian economy.

On the sector’s challenges, it said, “An improved policy environment has the potential to help the industry boost coverage and adoption, resulting in 15 million additional internet users by 2028. However, the sector faces challenges to infrastructure deployment.”

Similarly, the GSMA report recommended several policy measures to foster a more enabling economic and regulatory environment for the mobile industry.

It said, “Future policies should be geared towards reducing the cost and complexity of infrastructure rollout to encourage investment and boost the adoption of mobile broadband."

Also, it explained the significance of such policy enhancements, saying, “The impact of such actions would go far beyond mobile, driving productivity gains across the economy and creating millions of new jobs in Nigeria.”