SA Internet usage growth poor even for Africa
InternetWorldStats recorded 2,400,000 SA Internet users in 2000. The latest stats suggest that we currently have around 3,600,000 users.
This is an increase of 50% over the last 5 years. During the same period the average growth in Africa was a staggering 404%.
In 2000 South Africa accounted for 53% of African Internet users. Since then this figure has dropped to 15.8%.
This in itself is not too alarming since it may be an indication of significant growth in other regions, but if one considers that countries like Morocco and Egypt are now challenging or have surpassed South Africa’s Internet usage warning bells go off.
Over the last five years South Africa’s Internet population has grown by 1.2 million users or 50%.
During the same period Egypt’s Internet users grew by 3.75 million or 933%.
Morocco showed an even higher percentage growth by adding 3.4 million users during this period which represents a growth of 3500%.
South Africa’s Internet usage penetration is also lagging behind many other African countries.
Currently South Africa has a 7.4% penetration rate which is below Reunion (25.3%), Mauritius (14.1%), Morocco (11.6%), Sao Tome & Principe (11.7%), Seychelles (23.8%), St. Helena (10.2%) and Tunisia (8.2%).
International comparisons are even more alarming.
Australia, with half the population of South Africa, currently has 14,189,544 Internet users which represents 68.4% of the population. New Zealand does even better with 76.3%.
The European Union has an Internet user average penetration rate of 49.8 % while the average penetration rate for the world is 13.1 %.
Much of the increased penetration is fuelled by cheaper Internet prices and improved broadband access.
The lack of affordable broadband and flat rated dial-up access makes it difficult for many South Africans to use the Internet.
The low fixed line penetration rate and general problems with broadband availability are other factors contributing to the lack of growth regarding Internet usage.
There are no real quick fix solutions on the SA horizon. Many people pin their hopes on the SNO or Government’s proposed funding of Sentech to improve the broadband penetration rate.
Only time will tell whether either will prove to be the salve to the mess that Government have created by endorsing a legally protected monopoly.
Currently Government seems to lack the will to do what it takes to put South Africa back on track to once again to take the lead in Africa regarding Internet usage.
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