The document discusses the usage gap in mobile connectivity in Nigeria. While Nigeria has over 170 million mobile connections, coverage is still lacking in rural areas. A GSMA study found that 45% of Sub-Saharan Africa is covered by mobile networks but not connected. The key challenges to connectivity in rural Nigeria are affordability of smartphones, lack of digital skills and knowledge to use the internet, and shortage of local applications. Potential solutions proposed include raising awareness of digital skills in rural areas, government subsidies for smartphones, and encouraging more local content applications.

1. CLOSING USAGE GAP IN
NIGERIA
Unlocking Rural Mobile Coverage
BY
ISMAIL GIDADO

2. OUTLINES
• INTRODUCTION
• USAGE GAP IN NIGERIA
• CHALLENGES
• SOLUTIONS
• CONCLUSION
• REFFRENCE

3. INTRODUCTION
Nigeria is a country in West Africa, bordering Niger in the
north, Chad in the northeast, Cameroon in the east, and Benin
in the west. With over 190 million inhabitants, Nigeria is
the most populous country in Africa.
The Nigerian mobile communication evolution started around
2001 with only 400,000 active lines to now with over 170
million active lines, still with this tremendous growth there is
still lack of mobile network coverage in rural areas. A GSMA
study shows that Sub-saharan Africa is the only region where
the coverage gap is larger than the usage gap with 45% are
covered but not connected while 24% are connected.

4. USAGE GAP NIGERIA
With 45% of Sub-saharan African countries are
not connected but covered the government is
loosing a lot in terms of revenue generation.
Most part of Nigeria are covered with mobile
network but due to lack of ICT knowledge most
rural areas that are covered don’t use smart
phones to access the internet.

5. CHALLENGES
• Affordability: Nigeria is a developing country with
high rate of poverty. Affording a mobile smart
phone could be challenging as it is costly due to
high import tariff and lack of mobile
manufacturing companies in the country.
• Usability: Most of the population in rural areas
lacks ICT knowledge to access the internet.
• Local Content: lack of local content applications
to help the rural area residents to access the
internet seamlessly.

6. Solutions
• Awareness: their should be awareness on digital skills
and literacy in rural areas by mobile operators.
• Subsidy: The government should subsidies the
importation of smart phones to be sold in rural areas.
• Local Content: The government should encourage
more local content applications which will target the
rural area.
• improve the affordability of internet-enabled devices
and data for consumers. This can include reducing the
cost of data and devices, supporting appropriate
financing options for devices.

7. CONCLUSION
Driving mobile internet usage will require strategies
that are grounded in a detailed understanding of
the local barriers to internet use, as well as the
specific issues that women, rural users and other
underserved communities might face. Sustained
efforts are required to increase awareness and
understanding of mobile internet, as this is an
essential step on the user journey. Addressing
barriers around affordability, relevance, lack of
skills, and safety/security concerns will require
coordinated action between all stakeholders.

8. THANK YOU
ISMAIL GIDADO

9. Reference
• https://ncc.gov.ng/stakeholder/statistics-reports/industry-overview#view-
graphs-tables-6
• https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/wp-
content/uploads/2019/07/GSMA-Closing-The-Coverage-Gap-How-
Innovation-Can-Drive-Rural-Connectivity-Report-2019.pdf
• https://www.gsma.com/subsaharanafrica/resources/closing-the-coverage-
gap-how-innovation-can-drive-rural-connectivity
• https://www.mobilecoveragemaps.com/map_ng#6/9.482/9.250
• https://www.gsma.com/newsroom/press-release/airtel-and-mtn-launch-
gsma-we-care-initiative-promoting-digital-inclusion-in-rwanda/
• https://ncc.gov.ng/docman-main/speeches/723-mainstreaming-ict-for-
poverty-reduction-in-nigeria/file
• https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/wp-
content/uploads/2019/07/GSMA-State-of-Mobile-Internet-Connectivity-
Report-2019.pdf