Algiers Ranks Africa’s Top City for High-Speed Broadband
Algiers has been designated as the top city in Africa and ranks 34th globally in the "Gigacity 2026" index, a comprehensive assessment of high-speed fixed broadband network performance across 50 major cities worldwide. The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications announced this ranking, developed by the international firm Omdia, noting Algiers' placement in the "Silver" category. This distinction signifies a substantial shift in fixed connectivity and service quality for both households and businesses, serving as a strategic repositioning for Algeria's digital ecosystem in the region. The Algerian capital surpassed Cape Town by 11 places, which ranked as the second African city, and also outperformed other major metropolises including Cairo, Nairobi, Lagos, Berlin, Sydney, Istanbul, and Buenos Aires, marking its position among emerging very high-speed cities.
This recognition aligns with Algeria's declared strategy of "accelerated catch-up" aimed at achieving leadership in digital infrastructure. A technical report presented to the government in February 2026 had already indicated that Algeria advanced 28 places in the global fixed broadband speed rankings, reaching 109th with a median speed exceeding 53 Mbit/s. This represented the most significant progression in the Middle East and Africa. The capital's advancements are part of a broader national pivot towards very high-speed networks, encompassing both fixed and mobile connectivity. Algeria officially launched 5G services in late 2025, with an initial commercial test phase implemented across several districts in Algiers, leveraging the networks of operators such as Djezzy, Mobilis, and Ooredoo. Independent measurements conducted in 2026 further confirmed an improvement in mobile data experience quality.
The improved performance in fixed networks is attributed to the increased deployment of fiber-to-the-home solutions and the strengthening of the national backbone network, spearheaded by the Algérie Télécom group under the supervision of the Regulatory Authority of Post and Electronic Communications (ARPCE). The Algerian telecommunications market comprises the integrated public group Algérie Télécom and three mobile operators: Mobilis, Djezzy, and Ooredoo, all regulated by the ARPCE. Algiers' leading position in the "Gigacity 2026" index reflects a broader enhancement of the country's ICT indicators across the African continent. The International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) ICT Development Index (IDI) has similarly highlighted Algeria's progress in narrowing connectivity gaps. These recent strides in fixed broadband speed and fiber optic expansion stand in stark contrast to the situation five years prior, when the country lagged behind regional standards, including those within the Maghreb. This new ranking establishes a fresh baseline for public policy, signifying a transition from a catch-up approach to a posture of regional leadership, with plans to expand very high-speed connectivity to isolated areas through non-geostationary satellite telecommunications services.
