Africa’s internet freedom continues to trail behind global leaders, according to a new report by Cloudwards that assessed digital rights across 171 countries. The study found that while connectivity is expanding across the continent, no African nation has yet reached the highest tier of online openness.
The research evaluated countries based on factors such as access to social media, political content restrictions, and the legality of virtual private networks (VPNs). In Africa, top performers like Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, and Seychelles scored 84 out of 100—still below the 92-point global leaders’ group, which includes 11 countries at the top of the ranking.
A broader middle tier includes major African economies such as Nigeria, South Africa, Morocco, and Botswana, all scoring 64. These countries sit alongside advanced digital markets like the United States, Japan, and Australia, reflecting a moderate level of regulation rather than full online openness. The report also noted that South Africa serves as a global benchmark of balance between access and regulation.
Lower-performing countries reveal a more restrictive digital environment, particularly in parts of North and East Africa. Algeria scored 48, Ethiopia 36, while Uganda dropped to 24. Egypt and Sudan recorded some of the lowest scores on the continent at just 12, highlighting significant disparities in digital rights across Africa.
Despite these challenges, Africa avoids the extreme end of global internet restriction rankings, where countries like North Korea, China, Iran, and Russia remain far more tightly controlled. The report concludes that Africa’s digital landscape is still evolving, shaped by regulation, political control, and security concerns—raising questions about how governments will balance digital growth with online freedom in the coming years.
source: Business day