Africa’s internet economy could be worth $180 billion by 2025

A new report released by Google and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), estimates that Africa’s internet economy has the potential to reach 5.2% of the continent’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2025, while contributing $180 billion to its economy.

The projected potential contribution could reach $712 billion by 2050.

Driving this growth will be a combination of increased access to faster and better quality internet connectivity, a rapidly expanding urban population, a growing tech talent pool, a vibrant startup ecosystem, and Africa’s commitment to creating the world’s largest single market under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

At the moment, Africa is home to 700,000 developers. Venture capital funding for startups on the continent has increased year-on-year for the past five years, with a record $2.02 billion in equity funding raised in 2019, according to Partech Ventures Africa.

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the Google HQ (Presidency) ece-auto-gen

“The digital economy can and should change the course of Africa's history. This is an opportune moment to tap into the power of the continent’s tech startups for much-needed solutions to increase access to education, healthcare, and finance, and ensure a more resilient recovery, making Africa a world leader in digital innovation and beyond,” said Stephanie von Friedeburg, Interim Managing Director, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of IFC.

iGDP

Digital startups in Africa are driving innovation in fast-growing sectors, including fintech, healthtech, media and entertainment, e-commerce, e-mobility and e-logistics, contributing to Africa’s growing internet Gross Domestic Product (iGDP) — defined as the internet’s contribution to the GDP.

“Google and IFC have created this report to highlight the role the digital startup sector is playing and other factors driving the continent’s growth, in order to showcase and support the opportunities the continent presents,” said Google Africa director Nitin Gajria.

An analysis within the report, conducted by Accenture, found that in 2020, the continent’s iGDP may contribute approximately $115 billion to Africa’s $2.554 trillion GDP (4.5% of total GDP).

Paystack co-founders, Shola Akinlade (Right) and Ezra Olubi (Left) are examples of young people growing the GDP of the internet Credit: Techcrunch Paystack co-founders, Shola Akinlade (Right) and Ezra Olubi (Left). Credit: Techcrunch Pulse Nigeria

This is up from $99.7 billion (3.9% of total GDP) in 2019, with the potential to grow as the continent's economies develop.

Investments in infrastructure, consumption of digital services, public and private investment, and new government policies and regulations will play an important role in supporting Africa’s digital growth.

The report notes that investment in digital skills will also need to increase in order to help drive technology usage and continue to grow the continent’s talent pool.