A new report by cyber-security firm Surfshark has shown that Nigeria’s Digital Quality of Life (DQL) has fallen despite more people accessing the internet than ever. For the fourth year in a row, DQL was measured to assess how nations are at providing basic digital necessities for citizens. The report highlights the growing digital divide across the globe, with 7 out of 10 countries with the best DQL based in Europe and only 18 of the top 50 countries outside the European zone.
Digital Quality of Life in Nigeria
Surfshark has conducted its Digital Quality of Life survey for the fourth year. This report shows that DQL in Nigeria remains low, with the country falling four places to 86th place out of 117 countries in 2022. Surfshark uses five pillars to assess the overall DQL in a country, with scores attributed to each area. Below we break down how Nigeria is performing in each area.
- Internet Affordability: Internet Affordability is calculated on the amount of time a citizen has to work to access the internet. Nigeria ranks in 96th place regarding the affordability of the cheapest mobile connection, down a staggering 69 places since 2021. It ranks 115th when accessing the cheapest broadband, down five places, with only two countries being more expensive. It gives an overall ranking of 114th place.
- Internet Quality: Mobile and broadband speed have both increased slightly, but mobile and broadband stability have decreased, with Nigeria standing in the 99th place when all aspects of internet quality are taken into account. It is a huge drop of 43 places from the previous year. However, a new partnership has been announced that might see stability improve for those in the capital.
- Electronic Infrastructure: The section looks at how many people are using the internet and how prepared the infrastructure is to deal with it. Overall, Nigeria ranks 86th, up four places from 2021. This may be one step in helping to connect young people from Nigeria with other nations across Africa and the world.
- Electronic Security: We all know the importance of security when we go online. In the Sharksurf survey, electronic security considers cybersecurity and data protection laws. Nigeria has fallen by 20 places in this area to 66th in the latest report.
- Electronic Government: Electronic government encompasses the use of internet technology to provide information and services for citizens and businesses. Nigeria ranked 95th in this area, the same as the previous year.
As we can see from this information, Nigeria has fallen in 3 categories regarding DQL and only improved in 1. For many of us, it is hard to imagine life without easy access to the internet and other technologies. They have become a part of our everyday lives, and we use the internet for everything from shopping to entertainment to information gathering. Limited access to this technology would seriously impact our quality of life and change the way we have come to complete daily tasks. We would feel disconnected from the global community.
The Impact of the Internet on iGaming Development in Africa
Interest in iGaming has exploded over the past few years but has not yet reached its peak. The new markets opening up have increased the number of iGamers worldwide, as well as in Africa. However, several factors have contributed to this growth. We’ll delve into them more now.
- Mobile Gaming: The increase in mobile phone use and the ease with which these devices can access the internet has helped gamers connect with online casinos. Most games are optimized for mobile play, and some casinos have their own apps.
- Faster Internet: Globally, internet speeds have increased, meaning that gamers can enjoy games in real time without irritating lags. As per Surfshark’s report, not all African countries have poor internet connections, with South Africa ranking first on that continent. iGamers in Africa are certainly making their mark at SA online casinos. You can browse around the best casinos at Top10Casinos guide site. You’ll find all the information you need to get started or find a new casino that suits your needs.
- Payment Options: Online banking and e-wallets allow players to payout and collect in local or international currencies. Cryptocurrency is an easy way to send or receive funds regardless of location.
- Game Development: The quality of the graphics and narrative of games has improved greatly, attracting many new players.
- Technological Advances: You can connect to live dealers for a more immersive gaming experience.
- Flexible Entertainment: There are games that suit all budgets. Players don’t need to set aside long periods to enjoy a game at an online casino.
There is increasing research to show the importance of the internet and technology in everyday life. Internet poverty is the term coined to describe the lack of access to basic internet needs. However, tackling this kind of poverty is easier than counteracting extreme poverty in other areas of life. Access to the internet is now seen as a basic need, and the connectivity gap is being acknowledged. To target areas where the action is required can use information from reports such as the one produced by Sharksurf.
