For the last thirty years, Internet connectivity has been the main concern for most countries when it comes to digital transformation. Today, the Fourth Industrial Revolution demands more. While it is already taking hold, many nations are not ready.
Surfshark, the VPN service company located in the Netherlands and a subsidiary of Nord Security, the parent company of NordVPN, revealed the top 10 African countries where the digital experience is better and contributes to the improvement of quality of life. According to their “Digital Quality of Life Index 2021” report, these are South Africa, Mauritius, Kenya, Tunisia, Nigeria, Morocco, Algeria, Ghana, Senegal and Ivory Coast.
The ten countries were ranked after analyzing five criteria: Internet affordability, Internet quality, digital infrastructure, e-security, and e-government. Since the level of development of the countries in these different criteria is favorable to the modernization and efficiency of public and private services, to the emergence of a quality business climate, to innovation, to the dynamism of the creation of industries and to the attraction of investors, the participation of populations in the digital economy, human development.
However, compared to the global level, the digital experience in the top ten African countries is still considered weak, because it is below the average of the 110 countries analyzed, which is 0.53 points out of 0.90. While South Africa is the leader in all five criteria with 0.49 points, the ranking varies widely depending on each one, with some countries outperforming others in specific areas.
Internet Accessibility
When it comes to internet affordability, Angola is the best in Africa. The country is considered as the market where the rates are the least expensive. It ranks 17th in the world.
Internet Quality
When it comes to internet connection quality, Surfshark considers Algeria to be the best. Globally, the North African country ranks 28th in the world in this segment.
Digital Infrastructure
In terms of the quality of the digital infrastructure deployed, Kenya is the champion. The East African country ranks 58th in the world in this area.
Electronic Security
In the communications network integrity segment, Nigeria takes the lead. It ranks 46th in the world.
Electronic Government
In terms of the level of dematerialization of public administration by information and communication technologies, Mauritius occupies a privileged position. The country ranks 53rd worldwide in this sector.
