Internet speed, measured in megabits per second (Mbps), determines how quickly data travels between your device and the Internet.
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For Ethiopia, a country with over 120 million people, faster Internet is vital for education, business, and communication. It's no surprise that internet speed in Ethiopia is far from ideal. Although conditions are improving, Ethiopia still lags behind other African countries when it comes to Internet speed.
Historical Overview
Back in 2007, internet speeds averaged a mere 0.04 Mbps (megabits per second), mostly accessed through internet cafés in cities like Addis Ababa. A test from that year found speeds at 5 kB/s (about 0.04 Mbps), with connections dropping 10-20% of the time. This was a time when the internet was a luxury, not a necessity, and rural areas were almost entirely disconnected
Fast forward to 2023, and the picture changes dramatically. Mobile internet speeds hit a median of 19.10 Mbps, while fixed-line broadband reached 5.19 Mbps. By 2024, mobile speeds climbed to 27.19 Mbps, a 42% jump, and fixed speeds rose to 7.72 Mbps, a nearly 49% increase, according to Data Reportal. It's important to note that these are median values, and the deviation of the data is not specified, meaning, in some places, connection speed might be much lower or higher than stated.
Comparison With Other Countries
Ethiopia’s Internet speed doesn’t shine brightly when compared to other African nations. Let’s look at Median connection speed for January 2025:
Egypt: 80.32 Mbps
South Africa: 48.4 Mbps
Nigeria: 25.39 Mbps
Kenya: 14.65 Mbps
Ethiopia: 9.66 Mbps
Cameroon: 9.02 Mbps
Ethiopia’s 9.66 Mbps puts it near the bottom, just above Cameroon. Egypt’s speed is over eight times faster, and even Kenya, a regional tech hub, outpaces Ethiopia by 50%. According to this ranking, Ethiopia has the 6th slowest internet speed in the world. As mentioned earlier, the deviation of the data is not specified, meaning, in some places, connection speed might be extremely lower or higher than stated. For instance, urban centers like Addis Ababa might enjoy faster connections, while rural villages could struggle with speeds far below the median.
The Main Issue is Disparity
Beyond the numbers, the real story in Ethiopia is disparity. Urban centers, especially Addis Ababa, enjoy greater internet speed than their rural counterparts. While an urban-rural disparity is always expected, in Ethiopia the divide is much bigger. While Addis Ababa enjoys 5G connectivity, there are areas in Ethiopia that lack 3G connectivity.
Ethiopia’s internet journey isn’t without roadblocks. First, infrastructure is thin. Fiber-optic cables, which carry fast internet, are limited, and many areas depend on slower satellite links. Second, cost is a hurdle as internet plans can eat up a big chunk of household income.
Much has been said about Ethiopia’s need for increased investment in infrastructure to improve access to the internet, and the call remains unchanged. Expanding fiber-optic networks, enhancing mobile broadband coverage, and making internet services more affordable are essential steps toward bridging the digital divide. Without these efforts, Ethiopia risks falling further behind in the global digital economy. The future of education, business, and innovation in the country depends on a strong and reliable internet infrastructure—one that reaches not just urban centers but also rural communities.
