North Africa Leads the Digital Surge in the Middle East and Africa (2025)
Overview
Behind the seemingly steady rankings of Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index, North Africa has emerged as the epicenter of digital progress across the Middle East and Africa in 2025. Accelerated roll‑outs of 5G and fiber‑optic networks have reshaped the mobile and fixed‑line performance map, turning the region into a real‑world laboratory for connectivity innovation.
North Africa’s Strong Advancement
Tunisia – Early 5G Pioneer
- Launch: February 2025 (first 5G deployment in the region)
- Peak performance: April 2025 – 47th worldwide for mobile speed
- December 2025: Stabilised at 72nd place with a median mobile speed of 57.3 Mbps
Although the rapid surge in usage caused a slight dip, Tunisia still recorded a net gain of 11 places over the year, underscoring the positive impact of its 5G launch despite still‑evolving infrastructure.
Morocco & Algeria – Late‑but‑Spectacular Entrants
| Country | 5G Launch | Rank Gain | New World Rank (Q4 2025) | Median Mobile Speed (Q4 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morocco | November 2025 | +22 places | 39th | 56.27 Mbps |
| Algeria | December 2025 | +11 places | 78th | 53.62 Mbps |
- Both nations recorded the most dramatic improvements in the region, positioning Morocco as the North African leader.
Egypt – Moderate Progress
- 5G launch: June 2025
- Rank change: +3 places (still modest)
- Median mobile speed: 44.51 Mbps (limited by shared 4G/5G spectrum usage)
Gulf Countries – Still Ahead
| Country | Median Mobile Speed (2025) | World Rank |
|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | 691.76 Mbps | #1 in the region |
| Oman | 165.07 Mbps | – |
| Bahrain | 100–300 Mbps (after regulatory minimum‑speed increase) | – |
- Highly urbanised Gulf states benefit from massive investments in standalone 5G and ultra‑fast fiber, occupying most of the global top‑10.
The Wider Arab Landscape
- Jordan: Despite being a 5G pioneer since 2023, its median speed fell to 43 Mbps.
- Iraq: Climbed to 66th place, gaining roughly +9 Mbps.
- Syria: Reached 99th place, also with a +9 Mbps improvement.
- Turkey: Holds the 61st global mobile rank with a median speed of 66.91 Mbps, ahead of its commercial 5G launch scheduled for April 2026.
Global Perspective
- World leaders (primarily in the Gulf and East Asia) now post median mobile speeds exceeding 500 Mbps, driven by advanced 5G and ultra‑high‑speed fixed networks.
- The coordinated strategy between operators and regulators in North Africa demonstrates that targeted technological investments can swiftly elevate a country’s digital performance.
Key Takeaways for SEO
- North Africa is the fastest‑growing region in the Middle East and Africa for 5G and fiber deployment in 2025.
- Tunisia, Morocco, and Algeria show significant rank gains, highlighting the impact of late‑stage but aggressive rollout strategies.
- Gulf nations remain dominant due to massive capital infusion and regulatory support for high‑speed broadband.
- The data underscores a digital divide that is widening globally, with top performers surpassing 500 Mbps while many Arab countries still hover below 70 Mbps.
For businesses, investors, and policymakers, these trends signal where future connectivity infrastructure and market opportunities will concentrate in the coming years.
