Internet Subscriptions hit 154.28m in 2022

Internet access in Nigeria grew in 2022 as mobile Internet subscriptions rose to 154.28 million, new industry statistics from the Nigerian Communications Commission have revealed.

This was an 8.94 percent growth from 141.62 million mobile Internet subscriptions as of December 2022, showing a sustained growth in Internet usage through mobile devices in the country.

In the period under review, MTN Nigeria recorded the highest mobile Internet subscription growth, up by 11.57 percent to 65.62 million from 58.81 million in the previous year. It was followed by Airtel which grew by 9.72 percent to 41.18 million from 37.53 million and Globacom grew by 8.92 percent from 39.53 million to 43.05 million.

However, 9mobile was the only GSM operator that witnessed a decline in the period under review. Its mobile Internet subscription declined by 22.94 percent to 4.43 million from 5.75 million in 2021.

Mobile devices are the primary gateway to the Internet for many Nigerians. These devices increase digital inclusion.

The global association for telcos, in its report: ‘The Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa 2022,’ recently said, “As the primary way most people access the internet in Sub-Saharan Africa, mobile is driving digital inclusion.

“This delivers significant economic benefits, reduces poverty, and transforms lives by providing people with access to a range of life-enhancing services.

“By the end of 2021, around 40 percent of the adult population in Sub-Saharan Africa subscribed to mobile internet services. Although this figure is a marked increase from the 35 percent at the start of the pandemic, it still lags behind the global average of 70 percent by a considerable margin.”

According to the association, mobile technologies and services generated about $140bn, around eight per cent of GDP across Sub-Saharan Africa.

NP/Dominica Nwabufo