These findings highlight significant gaps in digital literacy and suggest a need for targeted education and accessible resources to ensure that Africa’s growing digital footprint is both empowering and secure.
Most adults across seven African countries access the Internet frequently, but many remain unfamiliar with digital security measures and practice them inconsistently if at all, an Afrobarometer telephone survey shows.
On average across
a majority of respondents say they worry about the security of their personal data online and believe their mobile phones are the most vulnerable devices to digital threats.
Many respondents are unaware of online protection tools, and few apply online safety tools and practices, especially those that provide stronger protection such as two-factor authentication, VPNs, and antivirus software.
Respondents tend to rely heavily on informal sources such as social media and friends or family, for guidance on digital safety, while more structured resources such as workplace training or online tutorials are less frequently used.
Though limited to seven countries and respondents over age 17, these findings highlight significant gaps in digital literacy and suggest a need for targeted education and accessible resources to ensure that Africa’s growing digital footprint is both empowering and secure.
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Use of protective tools and practices by Internet users is highly variable:
Afrobarometer is a pan-African, nonpartisan survey research network that provides reliable data on African experiences and evaluations of democracy, governance, and quality of life. For its standard surveys, national partners in about 40 African countries conduct face-to-face interviews in the language of the respondent’s choice with nationally representative samples of 1,200-2,400 respondents.
Between standard survey rounds, Afrobarometer also conducts more limited telephone surveys on emerging or time-sensitive topics under its Afrobarometer Calling label.
Between 6 September and 8 November 2024, partners surveyed national samples of 1,200 adults (aged 18 and above) who had mobile phones and said they access Internet content.
The surveys were conducted in
and focused on digital use and cybersecurity awareness.
