Nigeria has ranked poorly in preparation for the global digital revolution, lagging behind some of the world’s most connected regions, according to the Emerging Digital Powerhouse Index compiled by wireless connectivity provider Airgain.
The research assessed factors such as average mobile internet speeds, digital skills, 5G deployment progress, and broadband affordability across 37 countries to identify which nations are leading the digital future.
Airgain emphasized that in today’s connected world, strong broadband, fast downloads, and reliable internet are essential for daily activities like virtual meetings, streaming, and staying connected with loved ones.
It noted that fast internet connections are increasingly seen as indicators of a country’s digital advancement and economic strength.
Along with the availability of Wi-Fi and 5G, factors like affordability and the tech-savviness of the population are key measures of a country’s readiness for a digital future.
The report revealed that South Africa ranked 35th, while Nigeria placed last at 37th, due to poor infrastructure and slow internet speeds.
This put Nigeria far behind the United Arab Emirates which was found to have the fastest, most accessible, and affordable internet connectivity, along with a tech-savvy population.
Despite significant investments in 5G deployment, fiber rollouts, and network expansion, Nigeria still scored poorly in digital skills and internet speed.
Other emerging economies that have the most work to do in the digital space include India, Indonesia, Brazil and Mexico – with Italy being the only European nation in the bottom 10.
CTO of Airgain, Ali Sadri, stated, “We know African nations have long had their economic challenges and there is a great deal of work happening to improve its digital standing, so we hope they will rank much higher in the data in years to come.
“Access to fast, reliable Internet is a game-changer for any population. It doesn’t just boost connectivity − it fuels the knowledge economy, which now accounts for roughly 50 per cent of global economic activity. When people have the tools to access, share and create knowledge quickly, innovation thrives. Entire industries, from healthcare to education to technology, are transformed, opening up opportunities that were previously unimaginable.”
The UAE ranked highest for its 5G connectivity, leading in average mobile download speed at 413Mbps, followed by Qatar at 350Mbps and Kuwait at 257Mbps.
