Algiers has ranked first in Africa and 34th worldwide in the Gigacity 2026 index, according to Algeria’s Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, placing the capital at the top of the continent for fixed broadband performance.
The Gigacity 2026 index, published by telecommunications and technology research firm Omdia, assesses fixed broadband networks across 50 major cities. Algiers was placed in the Silver category, alongside Cape Town, while other African cities included in the ranking were placed in the Bronze category.
According to figures cited by the ministry, Algiers ranked 11 places ahead of Cape Town, the second-highest African city. The capital also placed above Cairo, Nairobi and Lagos, as well as several major international cities including Berlin, Sydney, Istanbul and Buenos Aires.
Fibre Coverage Drives Algiers Broadband Ranking
Infrastructure and fibre coverage were central to Algiers’ performance in the index. The report cited by the ministry puts fibre-to-the-home coverage in the capital at close to 100%, the highest level among the African cities included in the ranking.
Algiers received 50 points out of 100 for network infrastructure. The source compared that score with 49 points for Istanbul, 47 for Berlin, 43 for Riyadh and 41 for Sydney.
The speed data cited in the report shows that 90% of subscribers in Algiers receive a minimum connection speed above 100 megabits per second. Around 7% of households have speeds above 500 Mbps, while 3% have connections exceeding one gigabit per second.
Latency was also identified as a strong area in the assessment, with the capital recording positive performance on that measure.
Omdia described Algiers, according to the source, as an “emerging broadband market that has adopted fibre-optic technology at a rapid pace as part of a national expansion strategy.” The research firm said this direction had enabled the city to rise to the top among African cities.
Algiers Places in Gigacity 2026 Silver Category
Algiers and Cape Town were the only African cities placed in the Silver category, according to the report. Other African cities covered by the index were classified in the Bronze category.
On the global score, Algiers recorded 36 points, the same total reported for London. The source separately places Algiers 34th worldwide and does not state that the two cities share the same rank.
The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications said the result reflected state investment in telecommunications infrastructure and its policy of modernising networks and expanding fibre-optic coverage. That assessment represents the ministry’s interpretation of the ranking.
The Gigacity 2026 result gives Algiers the highest position among the African cities included in Omdia’s assessment, with the capital’s extensive fibre coverage and broadband performance forming the main basis of its placement.
Sami B. is the founder and editor of Algeria News Gate, an independent English-language platform covering Algeria’s political, economic, and business developments. Based in Europe, he reports on official announcements, economic trends, and international relations involving Algeria.