Only 3 sub-Saharan African countries ranked among the world’s top 100 for mobile internet speeds in 2025, and 2 of them lost ground during the year.
Internet analytics firm Ookla’s latest Speedtest Global Index analysis, covering data collected between January and December 2025, reveals that sub-Saharan Africa stagnated on mobile while North African markets surged up the rankings after launching 5G networks.
Sub-Saharan mobile rankings decline
South Africa dropped 5 places to 64th globally, with a median download speed of 65.7 Mbps in Q4 2025. Nigeria fell 7 places to 85th at 44.14 Mbps. Kenya held relatively steady at 80th with 45.37 Mbps.
South Africa has had commercial 5G since 2021 but ranks only 15th among G20 nations for mobile speeds, suggesting room for further network investment. Infrastructure challenges, including electricity shortages and a wide gap between urban and rural coverage, continue to hold back the sub-region.
Fixed broadband paints a brighter picture
Côte d’Ivoire ranks 103rd globally in fixed broadband, with a median download speed of 58.17 Mbps. The country outperforms peers with higher fibre penetration because its user base is concentrated on high-speed connections, with entry-level packages starting at 50 Mbps.
Mauritania recorded the sub-region’s largest jump, climbing 24 places to 106th after expanding its fibre backbone by 5,500 km, with plans for an additional 8,000 km under its Digital Agenda. South Africa, the sub-region’s mobile leader, ranks just 18th among G20 nations for fixed broadband.
North Africa surges on 5G
Morocco recorded the largest mobile ranking improvement across the Middle East and Africa, jumping 22 places to 39th after launching 5G in November 2025. Algeria rose 11 places to 78th following its December launch. Tunisia climbed 11 places to 72nd despite a decline from its April peak, while Egypt gained 3 places to 83rd after a June launch.
On fixed broadband, Algeria made the largest jump on the continent, climbing 28 places to 109th. Morocco rose 11 places to 105th. Both countries are accelerating fibre deployments alongside their 5G rollouts.
Ookla identified 5G deployment as the primary driver of ranking improvements across Africa, but cautioned that Morocco and Algeria may slip back in 2026 as the initial surge of high-speed test samples diminishes. Timely spectrum allocation and proactive regulatory policy remain essential for countries seeking to improve their network infrastructure.
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