In addition, Jensen's research tells us that the number of dial-up Internet subscribers now stands at over 1.3 million, up from about 1 million at the end of 2000. North Africa is responsible for about 280 000 and South Africa for 750 000, leaving about 300 000 for the remaining 49 Sub-Saharan African countries. Each computer with an Internet or e-mail connection usually supports three to five users, putting current estimates of the number of African Internet users at somewhere around 4 million in total. And about 1.5 million of those live outside of South Africa.

As positive as that might sound, however, it works out at about one Internet user for every 200 people, compared to a world average of about one user for every 15 people, and a North American and European average of about one in every 2 people. UNDP World Development Report figures for other developing regions in 2000 were: 1 in 30 for Latin America and the Caribbean, 1 in 43 for East Asia, 1 in 166 for the Arab States, and 1 in 250 for South Asia.

Some other interesting facts about the 770 million people in Africa:

1 in 13 have a TV (50m)
1 in 40 have a fixed line (20m)
1 in 40 have a GSM line (20m)
1 in 130 have a PC (5.9m)
1 in 150 use the Internet (5.5m)
1 in 400 have pay-TV (2m)

(Source: The African Internet - A Status Report - February 2002 - Mike Jensen, independent internet and telecom consultant)