In today’s digital age, access to the internet has become a fundamental necessity for economic growth, social development, and innovation. South Africa, a country with a diverse economy and a growing tech industry, has made significant strides in improving its internet accessibility and performance. However, despite these efforts, the country still faces challenges in bridging the digital divide and providing equitable access to the internet for all its citizens.

A Mixed Bag

According to the latest Global Digital Development Report, South Africa has made notable progress in improving its internet accessibility. The country has risen nine places with a digital development score of 0.4355 – a 4.13% increase over 2023. This improvement can be attributed to the expansion of mobile networks, increased investment in digital infrastructure, and government initiatives aimed at promoting digital inclusion.

However, despite this progress, South Africa still lags behind other countries in terms of internet penetration. According to the report, only 75% of the population has access to the internet, with a significant disparity between urban and rural areas. This digital divide is further exacerbated by the high cost of data and devices, which remains a significant barrier to internet access for many South Africans.

Internet Performance: A Cause for Concern

While South Africa’s internet accessibility has improved, its internet performance has declined significantly. The country’s network performance ranking has fallen 21 places to 84th globally, with average fixed broadband speeds increasing to 79.28Mbps, but still trailing behind other nations.

Mobile internet performance, on the other hand, has shown notable improvement, with average speeds increasing to 91.44Mbps and stability enhancing by 32 places to 31st globally. However, this improvement is largely dependent on the quality of mobile networks, which can be inconsistent and unreliable in many areas.

South Africa’s internet accessibility and performance are critical components of the country’s digital development. While progress has been made in improving internet accessibility, significant challenges remain in bridging the digital divide and providing equitable access to the internet for all citizens.

To address these challenges, the South African government, private sector, and civil society must work together to invest in digital infrastructure, promote digital inclusion, and reduce the cost of data and devices. By doing so, South Africa can unlock the full potential of the internet and create a more inclusive, equitable, and connected society.