Individuals using the Internet in Africa Western and Central
Africa Western and Central: Individuals using the Internet was 42.4% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Individuals using the Internet in Africa Western and Central, 2005–2025
Source: World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database, International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Measured in % of population.
Analysis
In 2025, individuals using the internet in Africa Western and Central stood at 42.4%. That is the highest value across all 21 years on record.
That represents a change of up 6.0% on the previous year and up 128.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, individuals using the internet in Africa Western and Central peaked at 42.4% in 2025 and was at its lowest, 2.3%, in 2005.
Africa Western and Central ranks 22nd of 32 groups on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Individuals using the Internet in Africa Western and Central, year by year
| Year | % of population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 2.3% | — |
| 2006 | 3.4% | +47.8% |
| 2007 | 4.3% | +26.5% |
| 2008 | 5.0% | +16.3% |
| 2009 | 5.8% | +16.0% |
| 2010 | 7.3% | +25.9% |
| 2011 | 8.7% | +19.2% |
| 2012 | 10.3% | +18.4% |
| 2013 | 12.6% | +22.3% |
| 2014 | 15.0% | +19.0% |
| 2015 | 18.6% | +24.0% |
| 2016 | 20.9% | +12.4% |
| 2017 | 23.8% | +13.9% |
| 2018 | 25.7% | +8.0% |
| 2019 | 28.5% | +10.9% |
| 2020 | 31.5% | +10.5% |
| 2021 | 34.7% | +10.2% |
| 2022 | 37.5% | +8.1% |
| 2023 | 38.5% | +2.7% |
| 2024 | 40.0% | +3.9% |
| 2025 | 42.4% | +6.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 4.2% | 2.3% | 5.8% | 5 |
| 2010s | 17.1% | 7.3% | 28.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 37.4% | 31.5% | 42.4% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Africa Western and Central
More infrastructure data for Africa Western and Central
- Mobile cellular subscriptions 462.00 million (2025)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions 86.5 per 100 people (2025)
- Fixed telephone subscriptions 2.00 million (2025)
- Fixed telephone subscriptions 0.3 per 100 people (2025)
- Fixed telephone subscriptions, per capita 0.0038 units per person (2025)
- Fixed telephone subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Fixed telephone subscriptions, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Fixed telephone subscriptions, gaps filled 2.00 million (2025)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions, per capita 0.8671 units per person (2025)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0.0005 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is individuals using the internet in Africa Western and Central?
- Individuals using the internet in Africa Western and Central was 42.4% in 2025, according to World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database, International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
- What is the highest individuals using the internet recorded in Africa Western and Central?
- The highest recorded value was 42.4% in 2025.
- What is the lowest individuals using the internet recorded in Africa Western and Central?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.3% in 2005.
- How does Africa Western and Central rank for individuals using the internet?
- Africa Western and Central ranks 22nd out of 32 groups with data for 2025.
- Is individuals using the internet rising or falling in Africa Western and Central?
- Over the last ten years it is up 128.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Africa Western and Central data come from?
- The figures come from World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database, International Telecommunication Union (ITU), published as part of Individuals using the Internet (% of population). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 21 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data).
About this data
Internet users are individuals who have used the Internet (from any location) in the last 3 months. The Internet can be used via a computer, mobile phone, personal digital assistant, games machine, digital TV etc.