(Ecofin Agency) - The latest report from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) reveals significant progress in ICT development among the 47 African countries studied, though substantial disparities remain.

Libya, Morocco, and the Seychelles top the list for the highest ICT development levels in Africa, according to the "Measuring Digital Development – ICT Development Index 2024" report released at the end of June. The report assesses progress in ICT development across 170 countries and territories globally, based on 10 indicators. These include the percentage of individuals using the internet, mobile broadband penetration, mobile broadband internet traffic, the cost of mobile data and voice services, and mobile phone ownership rates.

Countries and territories are scored on a scale from 0 to 100 points for each indicator. These scores are then combined, with equal weight, to produce an overall score for each country, ranging from 0 (complete lack of connectivity) to 100 points (optimal connectivity).

Libya leads the African continent with a score of 88.1 points, jumping from fifth to first place in one year, thanks to significant increases in mobile and internet penetration. Morocco follows closely with 86.8 points, and the Seychelles ranks third with 84.7 points. Mauritius (84.2), South Africa (83.6), Algeria (80.9), Botswana (78.7), Tunisia (77.2), Egypt (76.8), and Gabon (74.7) round out the top 10.

The report highlights that the average score for Africa rose to 50.3 points, an increase of 3.7 points from the 2023 index, driven by improvements in the majority of the countries studied. However, disparities remain stark. For instance, the gap between Libya and Chad exceeds 66 points.

Ranking of African Countries by ICT Development in 2024:

1. Libya (88.1)
2. Morocco (86.8)
3. Seychelles (84.7)
4. Mauritius (84.2)
5. South Africa (83.6)
6. Algeria (80.9)
7. Botswana (78.7)
8. Tunisia (77.2)
9. Egypt (76.8)
10. Gabon (74.7)
11. Eswatini (70.4)
12. Senegal (69.3)
13. Cape Verde (69.1)
14. Namibia (68.8)
15. Ghana (66.2)
16. Côte d'Ivoire (65.3)
17. Djibouti (61.6)
18. Kenya (58.5)
19. São Tomé and Príncipe (55.9)
20. Zambia (55.6)
21. Mauritania (55.5)
22. Angola (49.9)
23. Lesotho (48.8)
24. Zimbabwe (47.7)
25. Comoros (46.5)
26. Nigeria (46.9)
27. Rwanda (46.8)
28. Togo (46.2)
29. Benin (45.4)
30. Equatorial Guinea (44.8)
31. Cameroon (44.2)
32. Tanzania (43.1)
33. Mali (40.4)
34. Uganda (40.4)
35. Ethiopia (39.8)
36. Liberia (37.1)
37. Guinea-Bissau (36.9)
38. Sierra Leone (34.3)
39. Malawi (33.1)
40. Mozambique (32)
41. DRC (31)
42. Republic of the Congo (30.7)
43. Burkina Faso (30.1)
44. Madagascar (29.9)
45. Somalia (28.7)
46. Burundi (24.4)
47. Chad (21.3)