Tunisia’s Digital Divide: Interior Regions Left Behind in the 5G and Fiber Optic Era
Despite the rapid expansion of 5G and fiber optic infrastructure along Tunisia’s coastal areas, a recent report from the National Institute of Statistics (INS) for September 2025 paints a stark picture of a widening digital divide. The INS Flash TIC reveals that while urban and littoral zones embrace advanced connectivity, many interior regions are increasingly isolated from essential home internet access. This growing disparity, as highlighted by the ‘Rapport INS: à l’ère de la 5G et de la fibre optique, les régions intérieures de la Tunisie sont de plus en plus isolées d’Internet,’ threatens to leave a significant portion of the Tunisian population behind in the digital era, underscoring a critical challenge for national development and inclusive digital transformation in the African tech landscape.
Tunisia’s Deepening Digital Chasm
The INS data exposes a profound internet access gap across Tunisia, demonstrating a deep digital divide. Nationally, the average household internet connectivity stands at 40.4%. However, this figure masks vast inequalities: certain coastal governorates boast connectivity rates exceeding 60%, reflecting the proliferation of high-speed internet. In stark contrast, some central governorates struggle to achieve even 15% household connectivity, indicating that less than one in five homes in these areas has internet access. For instance, in Greater Tunis, over half of households are connected, a stark difference from parts of the country where the figure drops dramatically. This significant imbalance highlights that while major technological advancements like 5G and fiber optic cables are transforming connectivity in some areas, their benefits are not reaching all corners of the nation equally, creating a pronounced disparity between connected and excluded regions.
This geographical, economic, and educational disparity, as illuminated by the INS Flash TIC, critically challenges the narrative of a uniform digital transformation across Tunisia. The uneven rollout of internet infrastructure and the resulting exclusion of interior regions from the digital economy risk exacerbating existing social and economic inequalities. Addressing this crucial issue of rural connectivity and bridging the internet access gap is paramount for ensuring inclusive growth and enabling all Tunisian citizens to participate fully in the opportunities of the modern, connected world, fostering a more equitable digital future for the entire nation.
Keywords
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