nPerf Ranks Africa’s Best Mobile Networks for Watching Live Football

As a major continental football tournament captures the attention of fans across Africa, a new analysis by nPerf has revealed wide differences in mobile network performance that directly affect how smoothly supporters can stream their national teams’ matches.

The study compared average mobile download speeds recorded between January and December 2025 in all African countries participating in the tournament. The aim was to assess the quality of conditions under which fans can follow live matches on their smartphones and tablets, particularly via video streaming platforms. 

The Maghreb region dominates the top of the table, with Tunisia ranked first, recording an average mobile download speed of 62.6 Mb/s. Morocco follows in second place with 52.5 Mb/s, placing both countries well ahead of the rest of the continent.

Senegal ranks third with 29.5 Mb/s, while Benin (24.5 Mb/s) and South Africa (24.4 Mb/s) complete the top five.

Further down the list, average speeds are noticeably lower. Côte d’Ivoire records 18.5 Mb/s, ahead of Algeria (17.1 Mb/s) and Burkina Faso (16.9 Mb/s). Egypt posts an average of 15.5 Mb/s, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo brings up the rear with 12.7 Mb/s. 

According to nPerf, mobile download speed plays a decisive role in the quality of live video streaming. Faster speeds allow for shorter loading times, smoother playback and more stable image quality, even during peak viewing periods when many users are connected at the same time.

In contrast, lower or unstable speeds often result in longer start-up delays, buffering interruptions and automatic reductions in video quality. These challenges are particularly apparent during live sporting events, which must be streamed in real time and cannot be preloaded in advance.

Based on observed performance levels, nPerf outlines the following viewing experience thresholds:

• 60 Mb/s: Smooth 4K streaming on smartphones and tablets
• 30 Mb/s: Smooth Full HD, with occasional 4K if coverage is stable
• 15 Mb/s: Full HD possible, with very limited 4K capability

The findings highlight persistent inequalities in access to high-quality sports streaming across Africa. While mobile networks have become the primary gateway to video content for millions of fans, differences in infrastructure investment mean that viewing experiences vary significantly from one country to another.

nPerf notes that fixed broadband networks remain underdeveloped in several markets due to high infrastructure costs. Mobile networks, by contrast, allow operators to expand coverage more rapidly and at lower cost, including in rural and remote areas. 

To help users assess their own connection quality, nPerf offers a free testing tool available on its website and via Android and iOS applications. Running a test enables fans to measure their download speed and determine whether their mobile network can support uninterrupted match streaming.