Africa Targets 300 Million Internet Users by 2030 as Connectivity Surges

ABUJA — Africa is on course to reach 300 million internet users by 2030 according to a new African Development Bank report. Vanguard confirmed the projection on Friday. The continent’s digital connectivity is growing faster than any other region in the world, driven by rapid mobile internet expansion and falling data costs.

Nigeria is the continent’s largest contributor to internet user growth. With over 100 million internet users already, Nigeria accounts for a significant share of Africa’s digital population. The NCC’s National Telecommunications Policy 2026, targeting cheaper data and expanded 5G, is aligned with the AfDB’s growth projections.

The AfDB said the connectivity surge is being driven by mobile broadband rather than fixed-line internet. African consumers are predominantly accessing the internet through smartphones. This pattern has implications for the types of digital services that succeed on the continent, favouring mobile-first designs over desktop-oriented platforms.

Nigeria’s Digital Economy

For Nigeria, reaching and surpassing the 100 million internet user milestone creates enormous economic opportunities. A larger connected population supports e-commerce growth, digital financial services expansion, remote work opportunities, and the scaling of Nigerian tech startups to continental markets.

The US-funded deployment of 1,500 mobile base stations in off-grid Nigerian communities, confirmed last month, will add hundreds of thousands of new users from currently unconnected areas. The CBN’s Payment Vision 2028 strategy to open 50 million new bank accounts relies directly on expanding internet connectivity to enable digital banking access.

However, the quality of Nigeria’s internet connectivity remains a concern. High data costs, frequent network outages, and inconsistent speeds limit what users can do online. The 300 million user target is about more than access. It is about ensuring that the connectivity is reliable and affordable enough to be genuinely transformative.