Breaking News

More Africans have access to cell phone service than piped water

By Phoebe Parke, for CNN

Updated 1352 GMT (2152 HKT) January 19, 2016

Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds.

A report by Afrobarometer shows that across Africa less than one in three people have a proper drainage system, but 93% have access to cell phone service. The report also illustrates which African countries offer the largest availability of basic services and infrastructure to their citizens.
Photos: Top 10 countries in Africa for infrastructure
A report by Afrobarometer shows that across Africa less than one in three people have a proper drainage system, but 93% have access to cell phone service. The report also illustrates which African countries offer the largest availability of basic services and infrastructure to their citizens.
Hide Caption
1 of 11
There are big differences between provisions from country to country. Ivory Coast is one of the top ten countries in Africa for basic services, including electricity, piped water, sewerage, paved or tarred roads and cell phone service. Here, 85% of residents have access to piped water, the average is 63%.
Photos: Top 10 countries in Africa for infrastructure
Ivory Coast – There are big differences between provisions from country to country. Ivory Coast is one of the top ten countries in Africa for basic services, including electricity, piped water, sewerage, paved or tarred roads and cell phone service. Here, 85% of residents have access to piped water, the average is 63%.
Hide Caption
2 of 11
In the African Island country of São Tomé and Príncipe, 90% of residents have access to the electric grid, while only 26% have proper sewerage.
Photos: Top 10 countries in Africa for infrastructure
São Tomé and Príncipe – In the African Island country of São Tomé and Príncipe, 90% of residents have access to the electric grid, while only 26% have proper sewerage.
Hide Caption
3 of 11
In South Africa 95% of residents can access the electric grid, and 87% can access piped water. 68% have proper sewerage, way above the report's average of 30%.
Photos: Top 10 countries in Africa for infrastructure
South Africa – In South Africa 95% of residents can access the electric grid, and 87% can access piped water. 68% have proper sewerage, way above the report's average of 30%.
Hide Caption
4 of 11
In Botswana, 91% of people have access to piped water. Since 2005/6 there has been a 20 percentage point increase in the number of people who have proper sewerage.
Photos: Top 10 countries in Africa for infrastructure
Botswana – In Botswana, 91% of people have access to piped water. Since 2005/6 there has been a 20 percentage point increase in the number of people who have proper sewerage.
Hide Caption
5 of 11
Cape Verde is one of the countries that has made the best and most consistent progress in electric grid availability since 2005/6, along with Benin, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Nigeria, and Uganda who have also made improvements in this specific area.
Photos: Top 10 countries in Africa for infrastructure
Cape Verde – Cape Verde is one of the countries that has made the best and most consistent progress in electric grid availability since 2005/6, along with Benin, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Nigeria, and Uganda who have also made improvements in this specific area.
Hide Caption
6 of 11
In Cameroon, 91% of people have access to piped water, 60% have paved or tarred roads and 99% have cell phone service.
Photos: Top 10 countries in Africa for infrastructure
Cameroon – In Cameroon, 91% of people have access to piped water, 60% have paved or tarred roads and 99% have cell phone service.
Hide Caption
7 of 11