Dakar, Senegal: West Africa is witnessing a notable surge in its digital capabilities, with new data from the Internet Society revealing significant improvements in internet resilience across the region. This progress signifies a growing commitment to bolstering digital infrastructure, enhancing security, and fostering market readiness, ultimately ensuring more stable and accessible online services for millions of West Africans.
The Internet Society’s Pulse Internet Resilience Index, a comprehensive metric tracking vital indicators such as infrastructure, performance, security, and market preparedness, shows a promising trend. West Africa’s overall internet resilience score has climbed to 34%, a two-percentage-point increase between 2022 and 2023. This upward trajectory translates to more reliable access to essential online services, from education and healthcare to economic opportunities, solidifying the internet’s role as a catalyst for regional development.
Leading the charge are Benin and Senegal, which experienced the most significant increases in resilience scores across Africa, rising by six and ten points respectively. Ahmath Bamba Mbacke, President of the Internet Society Senegal Chapter, attributes Senegal’s remarkable progress to widespread internet access, robust 4G mobile penetration, and a concerted effort to enhance infrastructure diversity. “Senegal has changed remarkably over the last few years,” he stated, highlighting the nation’s commitment to a stable and secure internet.
Similarly, Malick Alassane, Chair of the Internet Society Benin Chapter, pointed to “marked effort” in improving Benin’s internet infrastructure, laying a “strong foundation” for future growth. He noted the emergence of new e-service platforms, facilitated by a more robust digital environment, which are simplifying life for citizens and businesses.
Côte d’Ivoire maintains its position as the region’s leader in internet resilience, although it saw no growth between 2022 and 2023. However, its score has seen a considerable 12-point increase since 2019, reflecting consistent progress over time. Nigeria, Ghana, and Burkina Faso also feature among the region’s top performers. Notably, Niger was the only country to experience a decline in its resilience score.
These positive developments are attributed to a multifaceted approach, including increased investment in infrastructure and security, the adoption of IPv6, and growing collaboration between governments, technology providers, and local communities. A key factor is the localization of popular content. Ghana leads the region in this regard, with 58% of the most popular websites accessed locally, significantly improving performance and reducing costs.
Michuki Mwangi, Internet Society Distinguished Technologist for Internet Growth, emphasizes the importance of local content hosting. “Hosting popular content and local digital services within countries and regions is a cost-effective way to improve Internet performance and resilience,” he stated. Data centers and Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) play a crucial role in this effort, bringing content closer to end-users and creating more efficient traffic routes.
The Internet Society is actively working to further enhance local content hosting in Benin, Burkina Faso, and Niger, aiming to achieve a 50% localization rate by the end of 2025. This initiative underscores the organization’s commitment to fostering a more resilient and accessible internet for all West Africans.
