(Ecofin Agency) - Despite having much wider coverage than the regional average, mobile internet usage in Benin remains low. This paradox raises questions about the barriers to digital adoption and its impact on the country’s digital inclusion.

Benin has made significant progress in mobile internet coverage over the past four years, according to the GSM Association (GSMA). Between 2020 and 2024, high-speed mobile internet (3G and 4G) expanded to nearly 90% of the country, well above the 77% average in West Africa.

4G coverage, in particular, has seen a sharp increase—from 62% to 88% in just three years. In urban areas, coverage is nearly universal, reaching almost 100%, while in peri-urban areas, it stands at 96%. Even in rural regions, where connectivity has traditionally lagged, 63% of the population now has access to 4G networks.

Despite the expansion, mobile internet usage remains lower than expected. GSMA points to a growing gap between the number of people covered by high-speed networks and those who actually use them—a phenomenon it calls the "usage gap." In 2023, GSMA estimated that between 39% and 66% of Benin’s population lived within range of a high-speed mobile network but remained offline.

According to Benin’s telecom regulator, ARCEP, there were 18.2 million registered mobile subscribers as of September 30, 2024. Of these, 11.7 million had internet subscriptions, putting adoption at 64.25%. Mobile broadband (3G and 4G) accounted for 61.75% of usage, with 6.8 million 3G subscribers and 4.4 million 4G users. However, these numbers include people with multiple SIM cards, meaning the actual number of unique internet users is lower.

After adjusting for multi-SIM users, GSMA estimated that by the end of 2023, Benin had around 7 million unique mobile internet users—just 55.4% of the total population. However, only about 3.8 million people, or 28% of the population (48% of adults), accessed the internet regularly via their phones.

One of the biggest challenges is affordability. The high cost of internet plans and smartphones continues to limit access, especially in rural areas where electricity is also scarce. Lack of locally relevant content and low awareness of the benefits of internet access further contribute to the problem.

This "usage gap" is a major hurdle for Benin’s digital inclusion efforts, which have been a government priority for over 15 years. Expanding internet access is key to improving public services through digitization and boosting the digital economy.

To bridge this gap, solutions must focus on lowering internet costs, improving access to digital devices, developing useful local content, and expanding electricity coverage to underserved areas.