Bridging the Digital Divide: Unveiling Internet Access Realities and Opportunities in the Central African Republic

• Current State of Internet Access and Market Dynamics
• Emerging Technologies Shaping Connectivity
• Key Players and Market Structure
• Projected Expansion and Adoption Rates
• Connectivity Disparities Across Regions
• Prospects for Digital Inclusion and Infrastructure
• Barriers to Access and Pathways for Growth
• Sources & References

“The Central African Republic (CAR) remains one of the least connected nations on earth.” (source)

Current State of Internet Access and Market Dynamics

The Central African Republic (CAR) remains one of the world’s least connected countries, with internet access lagging far behind global and even regional averages. As of 2023, internet penetration in CAR stood at just 11.4%, representing approximately 600,000 users out of a population of over 5.4 million (DataReportal). This low connectivity rate is symptomatic of broader infrastructural, economic, and political challenges that hinder digital inclusion.

• Infrastructure Gaps: The country’s telecommunications infrastructure is underdeveloped, with limited fiber optic coverage and a heavy reliance on satellite and mobile networks. Only about 30% of the population is covered by 3G or 4G networks, and fixed broadband is virtually nonexistent outside the capital, Bangui (World Bank).
• Affordability Barriers: The cost of internet access remains prohibitively high for most citizens. According to the Alliance for Affordable Internet, the price of 1GB of mobile data in CAR can exceed 10% of average monthly income, far above the UN’s 2% affordability target.
• Market Structure: The market is dominated by a handful of mobile operators, including Orange and Telecel, with limited competition and regulatory challenges. This has stifled innovation and kept prices high, while service quality remains inconsistent, especially in rural areas (BuddeComm).
• Socio-Political Factors: Ongoing conflict and political instability have disrupted infrastructure projects and deterred foreign investment. Power outages and security concerns further complicate efforts to expand connectivity.

Despite these challenges, there are signs of progress. International initiatives, such as the World Bank’s Central African Backbone project, aim to improve regional connectivity and reduce costs by expanding fiber optic networks (World Bank Project). Mobile internet adoption is slowly increasing, driven by the proliferation of affordable smartphones and digital literacy programs.

In summary, while the Central African Republic faces significant obstacles in connecting its unconnected population, ongoing investments and policy reforms offer hope for gradual improvement in internet access and digital inclusion.

Emerging Technologies Shaping Connectivity

The Central African Republic (CAR) remains one of the world’s least connected countries, with internet penetration rates among the lowest globally. As of early 2024, only about 11% of the population had access to the internet, according to DataReportal. This digital divide is driven by a combination of infrastructural, economic, and political challenges, but emerging technologies are beginning to offer new pathways for connectivity.

Traditional fixed-line infrastructure is virtually nonexistent outside the capital, Bangui. Mobile networks, primarily 2G and 3G, provide the bulk of internet access, but coverage is patchy and often unreliable. The cost of data remains prohibitively high for most citizens, with 1GB of mobile data costing an average of 8% of monthly income (Alliance for Affordable Internet).

However, several emerging technologies are poised to reshape the connectivity landscape:

• Satellite Internet: Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations, such as Starlink, have begun pilot deployments in CAR. These systems promise to bypass terrestrial infrastructure limitations, offering high-speed internet to remote and rural areas. In 2023, the government granted Starlink a license to operate, and initial rollouts are underway (Bloomberg).
• Community Networks: Local initiatives, often supported by NGOs, are deploying small-scale wireless networks using affordable Wi-Fi and mesh technologies. These networks empower communities to manage their own connectivity and reduce reliance on major telecom operators (Internet Society).
• Mobile Broadband Expansion: Telecom operators are gradually upgrading infrastructure to 4G, with support from international development agencies. The World Bank’s Digital Development Project, launched in 2022, aims to expand broadband coverage and lower costs (World Bank).

Despite these advances, significant barriers remain, including political instability, limited electricity access, and low digital literacy. Nevertheless, the convergence of satellite, community-driven, and mobile broadband technologies offers hope for bridging the digital divide in the Central African Republic over the coming years.

Key Players and Market Structure

The Central African Republic (CAR) remains one of the world’s least connected countries, with internet penetration rates among the lowest globally. As of early 2024, only about 11% of the population had access to the internet, according to DataReportal. This limited connectivity is shaped by a challenging market structure, dominated by a handful of key players and hampered by infrastructural, economic, and political barriers.

• Key Players:
  • Orange CAR: The subsidiary of the French telecom giant Orange is the leading mobile network operator in the country, providing both voice and data services. Orange has invested in expanding 3G and limited 4G coverage, but its reach is largely confined to urban centers like Bangui (Orange).
  • Moov Africa Centrafrique: Part of the Maroc Telecom group, Moov is the second-largest operator, offering similar services and competing primarily on price and coverage in select regions (Moov Africa).
  • Telecel Centrafrique: A smaller but significant player, Telecel focuses on affordable mobile and data packages, targeting underserved communities (Telecel).
• Market Structure:
  • The market is characterized by limited competition, with high operational costs and regulatory hurdles. The lack of a national fiber backbone and frequent power outages further restrict network expansion.
  • Most internet access is mobile-based, as fixed broadband infrastructure is virtually nonexistent outside the capital. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), fixed broadband subscriptions are below 0.1% of the population.
  • International connectivity relies on expensive satellite links, as CAR is landlocked and lacks direct access to submarine cables, inflating costs for both providers and consumers.

Efforts to connect the unconnected are ongoing, with international organizations and private sector partners exploring satellite internet and community network solutions. However, significant investment and policy reforms are needed to bridge the digital divide and foster a more competitive, inclusive market in the Central African Republic.

Projected Expansion and Adoption Rates

The Central African Republic (CAR) remains one of the world’s least connected countries, with internet penetration rates among the lowest globally. As of early 2024, only about 11% of the population had access to the internet, according to DataReportal. This figure highlights both the immense challenge and the significant opportunity for digital expansion in the region.

Several factors contribute to the low connectivity rates in CAR, including limited infrastructure, high costs, and political instability. The country’s landlocked geography and ongoing security concerns have hindered the rollout of fiber-optic networks and mobile broadband. As a result, most internet access is concentrated in urban centers like Bangui, leaving rural areas largely unconnected (World Bank).

Despite these challenges, there are signs of progress. The government, in partnership with international organizations such as the World Bank and the African Development Bank, has launched initiatives to expand digital infrastructure. The Central African Backbone (CAB) project, for example, aims to connect CAR to regional fiber-optic networks, which could significantly reduce costs and improve access (African Development Bank).

Projections suggest that with sustained investment and policy support, internet penetration in CAR could reach 20-25% by 2030. This growth will likely be driven by the expansion of mobile broadband, as mobile phone ownership continues to rise. According to GSMA, mobile connections in CAR are expected to grow at an annual rate of 4-5% over the next five years, providing a critical platform for digital inclusion.

However, realizing these projections will require addressing key barriers such as affordability, digital literacy, and reliable electricity supply. International donors and private sector players are increasingly recognizing the potential for digital transformation in CAR, but coordinated efforts will be essential to ensure that the benefits of connectivity reach the country’s most marginalized communities.

Connectivity Disparities Across Regions

The Central African Republic (CAR) remains one of the world’s most digitally isolated nations, with internet access lagging far behind global and even regional averages. As of 2023, only about 11% of the population had access to the internet, according to DataReportal. This figure is significantly lower than the African continental average of 43% and the global average of 64%.

Several factors contribute to this connectivity gap:

• Infrastructure Deficit: The CAR’s telecommunications infrastructure is underdeveloped, with limited fiber optic networks and a heavy reliance on expensive satellite connections. The country’s only undersea cable connection, the Central African Backbone, has not yet reached full operational capacity, further restricting bandwidth and increasing costs (World Bank).
• Political Instability: Years of conflict and insecurity have hampered investment in digital infrastructure. Many regions remain inaccessible to service providers, and frequent power outages disrupt connectivity even in the capital, Bangui (BBC).
• Affordability: The cost of internet access is prohibitively high for most citizens. According to the Alliance for Affordable Internet, a 1GB mobile data plan can cost more than 10% of average monthly income, far above the UN’s 2% affordability target.
• Digital Literacy: Low levels of digital literacy and limited access to devices further restrict meaningful internet use, especially in rural areas where over 60% of the population resides (UNICEF).

Efforts to bridge the digital divide are underway. The government, with support from international partners, is investing in expanding mobile networks and public Wi-Fi hotspots. However, progress is slow, and the digital divide remains a significant barrier to economic development, education, and access to information in the CAR. Without accelerated investment and policy reforms, millions will remain unconnected, perpetuating cycles of poverty and exclusion (ITU).

Prospects for Digital Inclusion and Infrastructure

The Central African Republic (CAR) remains one of the world’s least connected countries, with digital inclusion and internet infrastructure facing significant challenges. As of 2023, internet penetration in CAR stood at just 11.3%, with only about 600,000 of its 5.5 million people having access to the internet (DataReportal). This low connectivity rate is attributed to a combination of factors, including limited infrastructure, high costs, and ongoing political instability.

Mobile networks are the primary means of internet access, as fixed broadband infrastructure is virtually nonexistent outside the capital, Bangui. The country’s mobile penetration rate is estimated at 38%, but only a fraction of these users have smartphones capable of accessing the internet (GSMA). The high cost of data—averaging $8.50 per gigabyte, compared to the Sub-Saharan African average of $4.47—further limits widespread adoption (Alliance for Affordable Internet).

Efforts to improve digital inclusion are underway, with support from international organizations and regional initiatives. The World Bank’s Central African Backbone (CAB) project aims to expand fiber-optic connectivity across Central Africa, including CAR, to lower costs and improve reliability (World Bank). However, progress has been slow due to security concerns and logistical hurdles.

• Urban-Rural Divide: Internet access is heavily concentrated in Bangui, with rural areas largely unconnected. This digital divide exacerbates existing inequalities in education, healthcare, and economic opportunity.
• Policy and Regulation: The government has adopted a National Digital Development Strategy (2022-2026) to promote infrastructure investment and digital literacy, but implementation remains in early stages (ITU).
• Private Sector Involvement: Telecom operators such as Orange and Telecel are expanding 3G and 4G networks, but coverage remains patchy and service quality inconsistent.

Looking ahead, bridging the digital divide in CAR will require sustained investment in infrastructure, regulatory reforms to encourage competition, and targeted programs to make internet access affordable and relevant for all citizens. Without these efforts, the country risks falling further behind in the global digital economy.

Barriers to Access and Pathways for Growth

The Central African Republic (CAR) remains one of the world’s least connected countries, with internet penetration rates among the lowest globally. As of early 2024, only about 11% of the population had access to the internet, according to DataReportal. This digital divide is driven by a combination of infrastructural, economic, and political barriers, but recent developments suggest potential pathways for growth.

• Infrastructure Challenges: The CAR’s landlocked geography and history of conflict have severely limited the rollout of broadband infrastructure. The country relies heavily on expensive satellite connections, as there is no direct access to undersea fiber-optic cables. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), fixed broadband subscriptions are virtually nonexistent, and mobile broadband coverage is limited to urban centers like Bangui.
• Affordability and Economic Barriers: The cost of internet access remains prohibitive for most citizens. The Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI) reports that the average cost of 1GB of mobile data in CAR is over 10% of the average monthly income, far above the UN’s 2% affordability target. This economic barrier is compounded by high poverty rates and limited access to digital devices.
• Regulatory and Political Factors: Political instability and weak regulatory frameworks have deterred investment in the telecom sector. The government’s limited capacity to enforce policy and protect infrastructure has further slowed progress, as noted by the Freedom House Freedom on the Net 2023 report.

Despite these challenges, there are emerging pathways for growth. International organizations and private sector players are investing in digital infrastructure, such as the World Bank’s Central African Backbone Project, which aims to extend fiber-optic connectivity. Mobile network operators are expanding 3G and 4G coverage, and innovative solutions like community networks and satellite internet (e.g., Starlink) are being explored to reach remote areas.

Addressing affordability, fostering public-private partnerships, and strengthening regulatory frameworks will be critical to connecting the unconnected in CAR and unlocking the country’s digital potential.

Sources & References

• Connecting the Unconnected: The State of Internet Access in the Central African Republic
• World Bank
• Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI)
• Internet Society
• Orange
• International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
• BBC
• Freedom House Freedom on the Net 2023