Tunisia has secured the sixth position among African nations in the 2026 ICT Development Index (IDI), according to the latest report released by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
The country achieved an overall score of 80.1 points, significantly surpassing the African average of 59 points, as the continent continues to lag behind global digital connectivity standards.
The IDI, which measures population connectivity levels worldwide, evaluates the capacity of residents to access the internet under satisfactory conditions—affordably, reliably, and regularly. The index is structured around ten indicators divided into two main pillars: universal connectivity and meaningful connectivity.
Strong mobile infrastructure, but affordability remains a concern
Tunisia’s strong performance is underpinned by near-complete mobile network coverage, with 99% of the population covered by at least one 3G mobile network. Mobile phone ownership stands at 90.9%, reflecting deep penetration of digital equipment among the population.
This solid foundation supports growing digital usage and online service consumption. However, economic accessibility remains a watchpoint. According to the ITU, the cost of a combined mobile data and voice services bundle represents 98.6% of gross national income per capita—a significant burden on telecommunications expenditure that could hinder fully inclusive connectivity.
Morocco leads the continent
At the continental level, Morocco tops the African rankings with a score of 89.2 points, benefiting from a developing digital ecosystem supported by strong mobile penetration, extensive broadband coverage, and significant investments in modernizing telecom infrastructure.
Mauritius follows closely with 89.1 points, while Algeria ranks third with 87.8 points, driven by gradual improvements in its telecommunications networks and expanded internet access. South Africa (86.4) completes the top four.
Top 10 African Rankings:
1. Morocco – 89.2
2. Mauritius – 89.1
3. Algeria – 87.8
4. South Africa – 86.4
5. (Not specified in report)
6. Tunisia – 80.1
7. Cabo Verde – 79.8
8. Egypt – 79.6
9. Eswatini – 78.9
10. Botswana – 77.7
At the bottom of the African rankings, Angola recorded the lowest score among evaluated nations with 55.4 points, facing structural constraints including limited infrastructure access, high connectivity costs, and significant disparities between urban and rural areas.
Gulf states and northern Europe lead global rankings
Globally, the highest IDI scores for 2026 were achieved by economies with very high levels of digital coverage, internet usage, and telecom service accessibility. Saudi Arabia tops the global ranking with 99.2 points, followed by Finland (98.7), Estonia (98.5), and Kuwait and Qatar tied at 98.4.
The lowest-ranked countries globally continue to face major challenges related to network coverage, internet access costs, and digital inclusion. These include Eritrea, the Central African Republic, Chad, Niger, and Burundi.
Africa’s Digital Divide
According to the ITU, Africa remains the region with the lowest digital development level worldwide, with an average score of 59 points. The report highlights the persistent gap between leading nations and those struggling to build foundational digital infrastructure, underscoring the need for continued investment and policy focus across the continent.
