Algiers Leads Africa in Very High-Speed Broadband
Algiers has been officially recognized as the leading African metropolis for very high-speed broadband, according to the prestigious Gigacity Index 2026. The report, published by the British research firm Omdia, which specializes in telecommunications market analysis, places the Algerian capital 34th globally among 50 major cities evaluated. This global ranking positions Algiers ahead of prominent international centers such as Berlin and Sydney. The city achieved a classification within the demanding "Silver" category, outpacing other significant African economies like Cape Town, Cairo, Nairobi, and Lagos, all of which were designated to the "Bronze" category. Cape Town, for instance, trailed Algiers by eleven places in the assessment.
This technological leap is primarily attributed to the widespread and rapid deployment of Fiber to the Home (FTTH) infrastructure throughout Algiers. The capital now boasts nearly 100% FTTH coverage, marking an unparalleled achievement across the African continent. This extensive network density contributed to Algiers securing an impressive score of 50 out of 100 points on the network axis, a figure that surpasses even major economic capitals like Riyadh (43 points), Berlin (47 points), and Sydney (41 points). The Omdia report also highlighted favorable usage statistics and notably controlled response times, affirming a "rapid national very high-speed expansion dynamic" that continues to progress.
Beyond its African leadership, Algiers' overall performance garnered international attention with a total score of 36 points, matching that of London. This placed Algiers ahead of several leading Western and emerging cities, including Istanbul and Buenos Aires, in the 2026 ranking. This significant international acknowledgment by an independent body validates the substantial structural investments made by the Algerian state over the past decade. It underscores the aggressive modernization strategy driven by the Post and Telecommunications sector, particularly through Algérie Télécom, aligning with the country's high authorities' strategic focus on comprehensive digital transformation as a key pillar for Algeria's future economic, social, and institutional development. This positioning strengthens Algiers' appeal for foreign investors and stimulates the burgeoning ecosystem of Algerian startups.
