News

Report: Cost of data in Nigeria, lowest in West Africa

A report has affirmed the cost of data in Nigeria as the lowest in West Africa.

The report said Nigeria stands out globally for its affordable mobile data costs, offering cost-effective connectivity services.

With an average data cost of $0.38 for a gigabyte, mobile data in Nigeria is one of the cheapest in the world and one of the lowest in Africa.

This position was affirmed by the International Telecommunications Union and revealed in the GSMA report titled, “The role of mobile technology in driving the digital economy in Nigeria.”

“According to the ITU, the cost in Nigeria (as a % of GNI per capita) for a basic data-only package is the lowest in West Africa and well below the average across Africa,” the GSMA report said.

In comparison to Nigeria, other African countries, such as Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Africa have higher data costs, with Kenya averaging $0.59 per gigabyte, Ethiopia with an average of $0.68 per gigabyte and South Africa at $1.77 per gigabyte.

Minister: Telecom tariffs won’t be increased by 100%

The United States offers data rates at an average of $6 for a gigabyte.

Amid its cost-friendly and competitive data rates, Nigerian telecommunications operators are currently advocating for a tariff increase to address the pressing challenges the sector is faced with, due to currency devaluation, inflation and the overall Nigerian economic downturn in the past months.

The federal government has acknowledged the need for tariff adjustments, while also assuring Nigerians that any increase will be moderate, and not up to 100 per cent as the telecommunication companies had requested.

A thriving digital economy would have a material impact on the economy of Nigeria over the next three to five years.

It is estimated that increased digitalisation in agriculture, manufacturing, transport, trade, and government will increase GDP by around two percentage points by 2028. This would also create nearly 2 million jobs and raise an additional N1.6 trillion in tax revenue.

The Star

Segun Ojo

Recent Posts

Over 30 dead in Kano trailer crash

At least 30 people have died and several others injured in a tragic road accident…

2 hours ago

My Nigeria return dilemma – How it got solved in minutes

After a few years abroad, I returned to Nigeria and faced a dilemma. Let me…

3 hours ago

$1.5bn spending: Atiku calls refinery revival wasteful, demands privatisation

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has renewed his call for the privatisation of Nigeria’s state-owned…

3 hours ago

EPL: Man City beat Liverpool at Anfield for first time in 23 years

Erling Haaland scored a stoppage-time penalty as Manchester City came from behind to beat Liverpool…

3 hours ago

Kanu orders permanent end to Monday sit-at-home in South-East — IPOB

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has announced the immediate and permanent cancellation of the…

4 hours ago

Senate to reconvene for emergency plenary on Tuesday

The Senate has scheduled an emergency plenary sitting for Tuesday, February 10, 2026, amid ongoing…

5 hours ago

This website uses cookies.