Survey Methodology

The study was conducted in Portuguese using GeoPoll’s Mobile Web research platform. Mobile Web is a link-based survey mode that can be taken on a very basic mobile phone browser.

For this survey, GeoPoll randomly sampled members from the extensive GeoPoll database of mobile subscribers in each province in Mozambique. This approach is called simple random sampling and accesses the overall database each day. The sampling strategy was intended to gather data from a range of age groups, gender, and locations within Mozambique.

To bolster the survey’s reach throughout Mozambique, GeoPoll also deployed online advertising channels, leveraging a methodology tailored to the specific demographics and profiles of the intended respondents.

In total, 750 respondents participated in the survey. All 11 provinces in Mozambique were represented, with the largest segments from Maputo and Maputo City.

The distribution by gender was 77% male, 22% female, and 2% that specified “other.” Most respondents fell within the 25-34 age range at 61%, followed by the

16-24 age range at 23%, and the 35+ age range at 17%.

All 750 respondents included in the survey were required to own or otherwise have access to a smartphone.

Survey Findings

Key takeaways from the research include:

• Although 95% of respondents in this study personally own a smartphone and the remaining 5% have access to a smartphone owned by a spouse, family member, friend, etc., only 69% of respondents consider themselves the primary user of the smartphone (suggesting a significant number of shared devices).
• Slightly more men consider themselves the primary user (71%) compared to women (64%).
• Women are more likely than men to have just started using a smartphone within the past year (10% vs. 5%).
• Social media and messaging are by far the most widely installed and used smartphone apps across gender and age groups.
• Almost all respondents use Facebook (93%), and most use WhatsApp (81%) and SMS/text messaging (79%).
• Most smartphone users regardless of gender or age rely on mobile data as their primary means for accessing the internet (93%) and access the internet multiple times a day (88%).
• Most access social media multiple times a day (87%), primarily using their smartphone (79%), and spend at least 30 minutes each time they access it (72%).
• Data costs pose the biggest challenge to using social media and apps (69%), followed by internet connectivity (37%), and privacy concerns (31%).
• Perceptions of social media’s impact on local culture and society skew positive overall. A third of respondents believe the impact is very positive (32%), ranging from 39% for respondents ages 35+ to 24% for respondents ages 16-24.
• Most respondents across gender and age groups are using health-related apps or chats on their smartphone (84%), and almost all express at least some level of trust in the apps/chats they use.
• When asked which types of apps they would prioritize if they had limited time, money, or access to their phone, by far the largest segment of respondents said health apps (48%), rising to 52% for women.

Click here to download GeoPoll’s full written report on smartphone and social media usage in Mozambique.

About GeoPoll

GeoPoll provides full-service research solutions in more than 120 countries globally, focusing on low- and middle-income countries. Every year, GeoPoll completes over 5 million surveys via multiple mobile-based remote and in-person data collection modes, powered by a network of 10,000+ interviewers from 65 call centers, local teams, and direct partnerships with mobile network operators. Contact us to learn more about this study and our capabilities.

About Project Last Mile

If you can find an ice-cold Coca-Cola product almost anywhere in Africa, why not life-saving medicines? Project Last Mile is a global cross-sector partnership between donors, ministries of health, and the private sector that translates supply chain and marketing best practices from the Coca-Cola ecosystem into customized solutions for public health challenges. We focus on route-to- market, cold chain strengthening, and strategic marketing and communications. We aim to improve access, availability, and demand for life-saving medicines and health services down to the last mile in Africa. Since the first pilot in 2009, Project Last Mile has transformed into a leading public-private partnership for health. We have undertaken over 59 projects across 17 African countries, impacting the lives of more than 43 million people.

Find out more at www.projectlastmile.com.

The post Project Last Mile – Smartphone and Social Media Usage Landscape in Mozambique appeared first on GeoPoll.

GeoPoll conducted the survey using its proprietary Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) application. Data collection occurred from 3-30 October 2024. The live call survey was offered in Sudanese Arabic, and conducted remotely from the GeoPoll call centre in Nairobi, Kenya targeting respondents living in Sudan. The total sample size was 471 respondents. The project’s sample comprised a combination of GeoPoll’s existing Sudan database (51 completes), a GeoPoll partner database (19 completes), and Random Digit Dialing (401 completes). GeoPoll uses its extensive knowledge of telephone samples to intelligently generate RDD sample that has response rates in line with those found from the GeoPoll respondent database.

Demographics

Although the study was not purely scientific as there were no strict measures to limit demographic quotas, a diverse mix of demographics was achieved.

While the survey reached respondents in 15 out of the 18 states in Sudan, intense fighting in the western region of the country, including the burning of at least 68 villages in Darfur, limited or prevented participation from those areas.

Access to Essential Services

In times of crisis, access to power and communication are critical. In our study, almost a third of respondents (32%) report experiencing issues with their electricity or power on a daily basis in the past month. Most (65%) report experiencing issues at least once or twice a week.

Communication infrastructure, including internet and phone, seems to be fairing slightly better – at least for these respondents that were able to connect on their phones to respond to our survey. Most respondents are still experiencing at least some interruptions, however.

In terms of the internet, while the largest segment of respondents (41%) say they haven’t experienced any issues in the past 30 days, the next largest segment (18%) say they are experiencing issues daily.

Mobile phones have become essential tools for communities in crisis. With mobile connectivity, civilians can stay in touch with friends and family, access up-to-date information, connect with humanitarian facilities, and much more. In our study 48% of respondents have not experienced any mobile network outages in the past 30 days, and 11% have just experienced one outage.

Keeping communication lines open as the fighting continues will play a vital role in both the targeting and distribution of humanitarian relief.

Conduct CATI Research in Sudan

GeoPoll has extensive experience conducting research in areas of conflict and crisis through remote mobile-based methodologies. In times when it is otherwise impossible to get information from people on the ground, remote data collection can play a pivotal role in capturing the sentiment and realities of vulnerable populations.

For this study, trained interviewers at the GeoPoll call centre in Nairobi, Kenya made 24,588 unique calls to residents across Sudan. The telephone sample was randomly generated and dialed via the GeoPoll CATI application. The total number of calls made yielded approximately 15,331 opt-ins to the survey for an initial response rate of 62%. Of those who opted-in, 22 were deemed ineligible due to age and/or location. Of those eligible, 14,908 dropped off at some point in the survey, resulting in a total of 401 completes from the RDD sample for a total completion rate of 1.6%.

Based on the findings from this study, we learned and implemented several tactics to optimize response rates and ensure quality when conducting CATI research in Sudan:

• Because most respondents in our study report experiencing intermittent power, internet, and mobile network outages, it is recommended to make multiple calls to each respondent (if needed) at different times of the day and days of the week.
• Although there is no significant variation in the preferred time of day for respondents to be contacted, experimenting with different call times might still help identify optimal periods for higher response rates.
• Similarly, contacting respondents at different days of the week does not appear to significantly impact response rates, thus survey efforts can be spread evenly throughout the week.
• Snowballing method should be explored as 50% of the respondents confirmed having numbers of family and friends that may be willing to participate. Out of these, 61% shared contacts.
• Implementing the survey remotely from our call centre in Nairobi ensured a safe and stable operating environment for the interviewers to make their calls.
• For calls made from within Sudan, it may be advantageous to utilize multiple offices and locations, so that if one team is disrupted, other teams can continue making calls.

To learn more about GeoPoll’s capabilities in Sudan and around the world, please contact us.

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As the global health community springs into action to support the DRC’s government-led response, GeoPoll conducted a nationwide survey in the DRC to assess public awareness and concern about the mpox outbreak. The remote mobile phone-based survey addressed a number of topics related to the outbreak, including:

• Awareness of the mpox outbreak in the DRC
• Understanding of mpox transmission and symptoms
• Household and community mpox experience and risk
• Awareness of the mpox vaccine
• Intent to vaccinate for mpox and reasons for hesitancy
• Sources of mpox and public health information
• Assessment of the government’s reaction to the outbreak

Findings from the survey show that almost all respondents are aware of the current mpox outbreak in the DRC (92%), primarily hearing about it through social media. Most are also familiar with the symptoms and recommended prevention measures for the disease.

Vaccination presents a different story, however, with only 39% of respondents aware that an mpox vaccine is available, and only 35% likely to get the vaccine if it is. The primary drivers of hesitancy include uncertainty about the vaccine’s effectiveness, lack of knowledge/awareness, and potential health risks. Distrust of health facilities also presents an obstacle.

Click below to download GeoPoll’s full written report on the mpox outbreak in the DRC or scroll down to view the survey data in the interactive dashboard.

Interactive Data Dashboard

Dive deeper into GeoPoll’s data on the mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo using the interactive dashboard below. The dashboard provides responses to each question in the survey, filterable by gender, age group, and province.

Collect Data During Humanitarian Crisis with GeoPoll

GeoPoll is a full-service market and social research agency that conducts surveys via computer- assisted telephone interviewing (CATI), computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI), short message service (SMS), WhatsApp, and mobile web/mobile application communications. We also conduct online and offline qualitative research.

GeoPoll regularly conducts international development and humanitarian aid research for United Nations agencies, NGOs, governments, humanitarian groups and other stakeholders in the development and relief sectors.

In times of crisis, GeoPoll’s mobile surveys can reach aid beneficiaries and vulnerable populations to collect vital data on food security, disaster relief, and more. Our remote research capabilities and innovative technology platform allow GeoPoll to survey communities that are inaccessible following natural disasters, conflict, or disease outbreaks, enabling organizations to gather on-the-ground insights in real-time and disseminate information quickly and safely.

For more information about GeoPoll and this report, contact us today.

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Following the Closing Ceremony on 11 August, 2024, GeoPoll and mediaReach OMD reached out to respondents in Ghana and Nigeria again to explore how their actual viewership of the games compared to their pre-Olympics’ interest and intentions. The follow-up survey also assessed respondents’ intention to watch the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. This post details findings from the follow-up survey.

Viewership of the Paris 2024 Olympics

In the Pre-Olympics Survey, 97% of respondents in Nigeria and 92% of respondents in Ghana said they intended to watch the 2024 Paris Olympics. Although dropping slightly, the percentage of respondents that said they did watch the games remains exceptionally high. Almost all respondents in Nigeria claim to have watched (95%) along with 86% of respondents in Ghana.

The slight decrease in actual viewership versus intent may be partially explained by the fact that a majority of respondents said there were major happenings or news that affected their viewership of the games.

Across countries, the events respondents were most interested in watching include football, athletics, basketball, swimming, and boxing. Football was by far the most popular event in Nigeria (51%) while Athletics was the most popular in Ghana (49%).

The fanfare of the Opening Ceremony drew a majority share of respondents in both Ghana (50%) and Nigeria (62%). An even larger share tuned in to watch their preferred games or events (72% in Ghana and 63% in Nigeria).

When it comes to following their favorite events, respondents are much more likely to watch the entire event than to just tune in for the quarterfinals, semifinals, finals, and/or medal ceremony.

Interest in the games goes beyond borders. Respondents in Ghana and Nigeria were just as likely if not more likely to watch or follow games or events that athletes from other countries were partaking in than events with athletes from their own country.

With the United States topping the gold and overall medal count, it follows that the majority of respondents watched games or events involving US athletes. Excitement around the gold medal match in men’s football between Spain and France, the men’s basketball final between the US and France, the women’s football final between the US and Brazil, and the women’s football bronze medal match between Germany and Spain help to explain the large number of respondents that watched events involving those countries.

Media Consumption Habits

TV was the device of choice for watching the games, followed by mobile phone. Watching via mobile phone was particularly popular in Nigeria (68%). The top three platforms for watching the games in Nigeria were DStv (51%), streaming sites (51%), and GOtv (44%). In Ghana, the top three platforms were DStv (46%), streaming sites (44%), and terrestrial television stations (40%).

Respondents primarily watched the games live on TV rather than catching up via replays or news highlights.

In terms of setting, most respondents watched the games…

Viewership increased throughout the day, with the highest percentage of respondents watching in the evenings from 6pm to 11pm.

Olympics Sports Betting

Betting on the Olympics primarily followed expectations leading up to the games. In the Pre-Olympic Wurvey, 42% of respondents in Ghana said they expected to participate in betting. After the games, 45% said that they did participate. In Nigeria, 61% expected to bet compared to 59% that actually did.

The most popular betting platforms in Ghana were SportyBet (63%), Betway (18%), and 1XBET (8%). In Nigeria the most popular platforms were Bet9ja (35%), SportyBet (28%), BetKing (11%), and 1XBET (11%).

Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games were held from 28 August to 8 September. Prior to the games, most respondents in Ghana were aware that Ghana would be participating in the games (75%). Awareness climbed to 83% in Nigeria. The majority of respondents in both countries said they were at least somewhat likely to follow the games.

Los Angeles 2028 Olympics

Looking ahead, 72% of respondents in Ghana and 67% of respondents in Nigeria said they are likely to watch or follow the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Disappointment in their team’s success in Paris, particularly for fans in Nigeria, is likely dampening excitement for Los Angeles. When asked if their likelihood to watch the 2028 Olympics would change if there was a good representation of Ghanaian/Nigerian athletes, 66% of respondents in Ghana and 79% in Nigeria said that it would.

In addition to wanting to see a good representation of local athletes, almost all respondents said they would like to see more local brands associate with the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Olympics Fan Experiences

Fans have always played a vital role in sport, and when it comes to the Olympics, the shared experiences of fans help bring together entire nations in support of their athletes. While fan experiences have traditionally revolved around the live event and arena of the games, fan experiences today can be both physical and digital, extending beyond the borders of the host country into the homes, bars, screens, and public spaces of participating countries around the world.

In our study, we asked respondents how interested they would be in attending official Olympics fan experiences for the 2028 Olympics in their home city, such as public viewings, interactive exhibits, athlete meet-and-greets, etc.

In both Ghana and Nigeria, most rate their interest in fan experiences as either very interested or extremely interested.

About This Survey

GeoPoll conducted this survey, in collaboration with mediaReach OMD, using its proprietary mobile web research platform. The survey reached 1,176 respondents, leveraging the OMD Consumer Intelligence (OCI) panel in Ghana and Nigeria.

Data collection occurred from 21-27 August, 2024.

The diverse sample for the study includes a gender composition of 73% male and 36% female, and an age breakdown of 8% ages 18-24, 53% ages 25-34, and 40% ages 35 and older.

For more information on the sample and methodology for this study or to conduct a research study of your own in Africa or around the world, contact GeoPoll today.

For more information about mediaReach OMD and its services, please visit www.mediareachomd.com.

To view the detailed report with findings and insights gathered prior to the 2024 Paris Olympics, please visit the OMD Consumer Intelligence Platform or download the report here: https://www.mediareachomd.com/olympicsreport

The post GeoPoll Paris 2024 Post-Olympics Survey appeared first on GeoPoll.

As athletes complete their final preparations for Paris 2024, GeoPoll, in collaboration with mediaReach OMD, conducted a survey to assess public perceptions around the games. The study was conducted using GeoPoll’s mobile web platform, surveying more than 2,250 respondents in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania. Topics covered include awareness of the games, interest, viewing intentions, favorite events, media consumption habits, betting trends, and perceptions of the event’s cultural and social impact.

The findings reveal a robust interest among Africans for the 2024 Paris Olympics, with a significant percentage rating their interest at the highest level.

Key Findings

• General Interest: Across countries, most rate their interest in the games as very interested (37%) or extremely interested (24%), and 93% said they intend to watch the games.
• Favorite Sports: Football stands out as the event respondents are most interested in watching – particularly in Ghana (57%) and Nigeria (56%). Other highly anticipated events include athletics (31%), swimming (21%), basketball (18%), and boxing (15%).
• Favorite Programming: The majority of respondents intend to watch the opening ceremonies (55%), and 64% say they prefer to watch their favorite events in their entirety rather than just tuning in for the quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals.
• Viewership: TV remains the device of choice for watching the games (80%). However, 60% of respondents also plan to follow the games on their mobile phone. The incidence increases to 72% in Nigeria.
• Viewing Times: Viewership is projected to increase throughout the day, with respondents saying they are most likely to watch in the evening from 6pm to 11pm (55%).
• Anticipated Category Behavior: The survey also identified opportunities for brands, as viewers intend to upgrade data plans, socialize with friends, engage in sports betting, and consume soft drinks and alcohol, among other activities.

50% plan to engage in betting on the Olympics

The perceived importance of the Olympics goes beyond Paris or the final medal count. From this study, 72% respondents believe the Olympics has a cultural and social impact in their countries. These findings underscore the immense enthusiasm Africans have for the Olympics and the wide array of sports that will captivate audiences worldwide.

For a more detailed report with insights, please visit the OMD Consumer Intelligence Platform or download the report here: https://www.mediareachomd.com/olympicsreport

About This Survey

GeoPoll conducted this survey, in collaboration with mediaReach OMD, using its proprietary mobile web research platform. The survey reached 2,261 respondents, leveraging GeoPoll Audience Measurement (GAM) panels in Kenya and Tanzania, and The OMD Consumer Intelligence (OCI) panel in Ghana and Nigeria.

Data collection occurred from 31 May to 16 June, 2024. The survey was offered in English in Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria, and in English and Swahili in Tanzania.

The diverse sample for the study includes a gender composition of 66% male and 34% female, and an age breakdown of 12% ages 18-24, 55% ages 25-34, and 33% ages 35 and older.

For more information on the sample and methodology for this study or to conduct a research study of your own in Africa or around the world, contact GeoPoll today.

For more information about mediaReach OMD and its services, please visit www.mediareachomd.com.

The post GeoPoll 2024 Paris Olympics Survey: Insights for Brands and Stakeholders appeared first on GeoPoll.

Key Findings Summary

Highlights from the survey include the following:

• The Prevalence of Mobile Gaming: The survey reveals a significant tilt towards mobile gaming, with an astounding 92% of respondents playing games on their mobile phones. This preference is driven by increasing smartphone penetration and the Android platform’s dominance, with 92% of respondents having downloaded games from the Google Play Store.
• Engagement: Gaming serves as a primary source of entertainment, relaxation, and a remedy for boredom for the majority of gamers, with 73% playing for fun and 64% for stress relief.
• Expenditure: Financial investment in gaming is noteworthy, with 63% of gamers having made a purchase related to gaming. The amount spent varies, with 29% spending between $2 to $5 monthly, illustrating a willing but cost-conscious gamer base.
• Navigating the Barriers: The report also identifies barriers to gaming purchases, with 47% preferring free games and 44% citing a lack of funds. The cost-related challenges extend beyond purchases, as gamers list the cost of data bundles (42%) and expensive gaming hardware (31%) among their top challenges.
• A Call for Cultural Representation: Over half of the respondents value cultural relevance in games, and a substantial 44% feel there are not enough games with characters that look like them or environments similar to their life, signaling an untapped market for local content creation.
• In-Game Advertising Insights: Despite mixed feelings about ads in games, a surprising 63% have made a purchase after seeing an ad in a game. This suggests that while ads may be met with some resistance, they remain a potent tool for engagement and monetization within the gaming ecosystem.
• The Local Gaming Scene: A striking 56% of respondents are unaware of any games made in Africa, highlighting a significant gap in visibility and market penetration for local developers. However, there is a growing interest in supporting local talent, with varied sentiments across countries regarding the importance of local games.

GeoPoll’s Gaming in Africa survey paints a picture of a vibrant gaming community that is ripe for growth, faced with unique challenges but also teeming with opportunities. The high engagement levels, coupled with a demand for more locally relevant content, underscore the potential for developers and investors to cultivate a thriving gaming industry in Africa.

Download the FREE Report

To gain deeper insights into the evolving gaming trends and to explore the opportunities lying within Africa’s gaming landscape, download the full report.

About this Survey

This study was implemented using GeoPoll’s mobile web research platform. Mobile web is a link-based survey mode that can be taken on a very basic mobile phone browser. In this study, respondents received an initial text message with a link directing them to a webpage to opt-in and complete the survey.

Contact GeoPoll today to learn more about this study and our capabilities.

The post Gaming in Africa 2024: A GeoPoll Report appeared first on GeoPoll.

To assess public awareness and concern about the cholera outbreak, GeoPoll conducted a nationwide survey in Zambia using its proprietary Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) application. The remote mobile phone-based survey addressed a number of topics related to the outbreak, including:

• Access to water for drinking, cooking, and hygiene
• Access to sanitation
• Awareness of the cholera outbreak in Zambia
• Understanding of the causes, risks, and symptoms of cholera
• Household cholera experience and concern
• Access to cholera treatment
• Assessment of the government’s reaction to the outbreak

Findings from the survey show that for more than a third of respondents (35%), there has been a time in the past month when their household did not have sufficient quantities of drinking water when needed. All respondents claim to be aware of the current cholera outbreak, and most understand the causes, symptoms and where to go to seek treatment. Although only 2% of respondents report that anyone in their household has ever suffered from cholera, 36% believe they are at risk of contracting cholera, and 70% are very concerned about getting cholera. This illustrates respondents’ understanding of the severity of the disease.

Click below to download GeoPoll’s full written report on the cholera outbreak in Zambia or scroll down to view the survey data in the interactive dashboard.

Interactive Data Dashboard

Dive deeper into GeoPoll’s data on the cholera outbreak in Zambia using the interactive dashboard below. The dashboard provides responses to each question in the survey, filterable by gender, age group, and province.

Collect Data During Humanitarian Crisis with GeoPoll

GeoPoll regularly conducts international development and humanitarian aid research for United Nations agencies, NGOs, governments, humanitarian groups and other stakeholders in the development and relief sectors.

In times of crisis, GeoPoll’s mobile surveys can reach aid beneficiaries and vulnerable populations to collect vital data on food security, disaster relief, and more. Our remote research capabilities and innovative technology platform allow GeoPoll to survey communities that are inaccessible following natural disasters, conflict, or disease outbreaks, enabling organizations to gather on-the-ground insights and disseminate information quickly and safely.

This study was implemented by GeoPoll using our own mobile research platform and extensive respondent database. The questionnaire was designed by GeoPoll researchers and conducted via GeoPoll’s Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) application. Data collection occurred from February 22 to March 2, 2024. The survey was offered in English, Bemba, and Nyanja, and conducted from the GeoPoll call center in Lusaka, Zambia.

The diverse sample for the study of 400 respondents includes a gender composition of 50% female and 50% male, and an age breakdown of 25% ages 18-24, 29% ages 25-34, 32% ages 35-50, and 15% ages 51 and over. All 10 provinces (ADM1) in Zambia are equally represented.

For more information on the sample and methodology for this study or to conduct a research study of your own using the GeoPoll CATI application and our call centers around the world, contact us today.

The post GeoPoll Reports: Zambia Cholera Outbreak appeared first on GeoPoll.

To understand the effects the energy crisis is having on people throughout South Africa, GeoPoll conducted a survey in April 2023 using our proprietary research platform. The survey addressed a number of pressing topics related to the crisis, including:

• Satisfaction with current energy provision and pricing
• Coping strategies for rising electricity prices and loadshedding
• Impacts of loadshedding on everyday life and well-being
• Loadshedding adaptations and outlook
• Perceptions of government response to the energy crisis
• Perceived causes of and solutions to the crisis
• Potential impact of the crisis on upcoming elections

Findings from the survey indicate that loadshedding is impacting almost every aspect of life in South Africa. Most respondents have had internet connection issues, been forced to throw out food or perishables, and had appliances broken due to power cuts and surges, but many have also lost access to water, been a victim of a crime due to poor lighting, or been forced to close a business/lost a job. Almost 3 out of 4 respondents say loadshedding has had a negative effect on their ability to work and earn a living, and 65% say it has had a negative impact on their personal health and well-being.

South Africans remain skeptical of the government’s attempts to solve the energy crisis. They cite corruption and mismanagement as the biggest contributors to the crisis, and do not believe President Ramaphosa is doing enough to address those issues. As a result, most say they are much less likely to support the ruling ANC party in the 2024 elections.

Click below to download GeoPoll’s full written report on the energy crisis in South Africa or scroll down to view the survey data in the interactive dashboard.

Interactive Data Dashboard

Dive deeper into GeoPoll’s data on the energy crisis using the interactive dashboard below. The dashboard provides responses to each question in the survey, filterable by province, age group, and gender.

Conducting Research in Times of Crisis

In times of crisis and hardship, NGOs, governments, humanitarian groups, and other stakeholders in international development and humanitarian relief turn to GeoPoll for fast and affordable data collection. Our unique remote research system and methodologies, robust database, and direct integrations with mobile network operators enable us to reach affected populations in every corner of the world.

To learn more about GeoPoll’s capabilities and coverage, contact us today.

The post GeoPoll Reports: South Africa Energy Crisis appeared first on GeoPoll.

GeoPoll conducted a survey prior to the election to gauge public sentiment about the state of the country, people’s trust in the electoral process, and their intention to vote. Now that the presidential election is over, GeoPoll implemented a follow-up study to learn about people’s voting experiences on election day, as well as their confidence in the election process and results.

Findings from the post-election survey are detailed in this post. To view the full results, filterable by question, state, gender, and age group, scroll down to the Interactive Data Dashboard.

Voting Experience

Voter turnout in Nigeria has been on a steady decline since peaking at 69% in 2003. Although 74% of respondents in our study claim to have voted in the 2023 election, only 29% of registered voters in Nigeria actually voted on election day – the lowest participation rate since Nigeria’s independence.

Of the 26% that did not vote, 41% say it was due to “registration/PVC problems.” Another 18% say they had problems at the polling station.

For those that did vote, most had a “good” or “very good” voting experience (61%). Only 19% had a “poor” or “very poor” experience.

61% of voters report a “good” or “very good” voting experience.

Both the expectation and initial reports of late starts at polling stations may have dissuaded some voters. Delays were blamed on a variety of issues, including technical difficulties, late-arriving officials, cash shortages that affected transport, and attacks on polling stations. Most of the voters in our study report experiencing at least minor delays (61%), with 21% saying their polling station opened more than 2 hours behind schedule.

Whether their polling station opened on time or not, most respondents waited in line for at least 1 hour to vote (60%). Almost 1 in 3 (32%) waited for 3 hours or more.

60% waited in line for at least 1 hour to vote.

Despite fears of violence leading up to the elections, voting was largely peaceful outside of a few isolated incidents. Those incidents likely contribute to the 4% of respondents that say they felt “very unsafe” at their polling station. Most, however, report feeling “somewhat safe” or “very safe” (81%). Women report feeling slightly less safe than men.

In our study conducted a week before the election, most respondents felt “frustrated” with the current situation in Nigeria. Frustration continues to be the most common sentiment now that the election is over, but the percentage dropped from 58% to 45%. The percentage feeling “scared” also decreased, while those experiencing positive feelings (hopeful, blessed and happy) increased.

Trust in the Electoral Process Pre- and Post-Elections

The electoral process for the 2023 Nigeria Presidential Election has been plagued by controversy since before the first votes were cast. While acknowledging technical glitches with its vote tallying platform, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stands by its declaration of Bola Tinubu as the president-elect, and has asked opposition parties to take their grievances to court.

As the parties prepare their legal challenges and the president-elect prepares his administration, we presented voters a series of statements related to their faith in the electoral process, and asked whether they agree or disagree with each statement.

Election Results Acceptance, Fraud, and Violence

Respondents’ expectations for a fraud- and violence-free election that would be accepted by all Nigerians far exceeded their actual experience. The chart below shows the percentages of respondents that “disagreed” or “strongly disagreed” with each of the three statements, both before and after the election.

Opposition party-led protests have dampened respondents’ hope that the results of the 2023 general elections will be accepted by all Nigerians. The percentage that “disagree” or “strongly disagree” with that statement climbed from 24% in the pre-election survey to 64% in the post-election survey.

Disputes over the electoral commission’s handling of the vote also increased perceptions of fraud. Those that disagree or strongly disagree that the elections will be/were free of fraud more than doubled pre-/post-election, rising from 29% to 67%.

Although election day has been deemed mostly peaceful, voters expected better. While only 33% disagreed or strongly disagreed that the elections would be free of violence and intimidation before the election, 63% disagree or strongly disagree with that statement now that the election is over.

Perceptions of INEC’s Performance

On election day, delays at polling stations, technical difficulties, and allegations of irregularities raised concerns about INEC’s planning and performance. After the election, glitches in INEC’s results viewing platform and delays in announcing the results appear to have amplified those concerns.

In our study, voters’ express significant dissatisfaction with INEC’s performance.

Only 31% of respondents agree or strongly agree that all parties and candidates were treated equally and fairly during the election process. Most appear to support opposition party claims of an overall lack of fairness.

Only 31% agree that all parties and candidates were treated equally and fairly.

In the pre-election survey, almost 2 in 3 respondents (65%) agreed or strongly agreed that INEC is transparent and informs the public and media about its activities. That percentage dropped to 34% after the election. Several independent observers, including the European Union, have criticized the election for lacking transparency.

The largest segment of respondents (39%) strongly disagree that INEC performed its duties with honesty and integrity during the 2023 elections. Only 9% strongly agree.

The delay in announcing a winner appears to have sapped public confidence in a free and fair election. Most agree or strongly agree (70%) that the delay in announcing a winner negatively impacts my perceptions of election integrity.

Most also say they have very little to no confidence (63%) in INEC’s vote tally and declaration of a winner.

63% have very little or no confidence in INEC’s vote tally and declaration of a winner.

Witnessing Election Day Interference

Before INEC formerly declared Bola Tinubu the winner of the 2023 presidential election, opposition parties called for a rerun, alleging widespread vote rigging and violence. In our study, we asked voters about any personal experience with these claims.

Overall, more than 1 in 3 respondents claim they or a friend personally witnessed incidences of vote-buying (37%), voter suppression (40%), ballot tampering (36%), and violence near polling stations (39%). Similar percentages say they were only told about those incidences happening by the media. Smaller percentages say they did not see or hear about those incidences happening at all.

Perceptions of Democracy

With disruption, delays, and irregularities weakening public perception of transparency and integrity in the electoral process, it follows that most respondents say they are “very dissatisfied” with the way democracy works in Nigeria (52%).

52% are very dissatisfied with the way democracy works in Nigeria.

Increasing transparency throughout the electoral process will be critical for boosting public trust in the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy moving forward.

Interactive Data Dashboard

Dive deeper into GeoPoll’s data on the Nigeria elections using the interactive dashboard below. The dashboard provides responses to each question in the survey, filterable by state, age group, and gender.

Conduct Democracy and Governance Research with GeoPoll

GeoPoll’s mobile research and engagement platform allow governments and democracy groups to reach citizens in remote areas or conflict zones quickly and safely, without the need for on-the-ground enumerators. Using GeoPoll, organizations can administer surveys and educational messages to extremely specific target populations, giving them the ability to quickly assess situations and act upon the most up-to-date information.

GeoPoll conducted this survey using our proprietary SMS and mobile web research platforms. Data collection occurred from March 11-13, 2023. The multi-modal study used a simple random sampling technique from GeoPoll’s and third-party databases to achieve a diverse mix of 542 voting-age adults from across Nigeria.

For more information on the sample and methodology for this study or to conduct a research study of your own, contact us today.

Top photo by Samuel Alabi on Unsplash

The post Nigeria Elections 2023: GeoPoll Post-Election Survey appeared first on GeoPoll.

To assess the situation on the ground, GeoPoll conducted a survey using its proprietary SMS and mobile web research platforms. The survey used a simple random sampling technique from GeoPoll’s database, gathering a sample size of more than 400 respondents per country (1,285 total) in a matter of hours as the protests were happening.

Findings from the study are detailed in this post published the morning after the protests. To view the full results, filterable by question, country, gender, and age group, scroll down to the Interactive Data Dashboard.

Public Perception and Outlook

With discontent rising to the point of public protests across Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, it follows that a majority of respondents in all three countries believe things in their country are currently going in the “wrong direction.” That perception remains consistent across gender and age groups.

The largest segment of respondents in each country reports feeling “frustrated” with the current situation (42%). Many also report feeling “scared” with the protests swirling around them.

Although public sentiment skews negative overall (frustrated, scared, angry), almost one in three respondents report feeling “hopeful” (32%). That climbs to 42% in Nigeria. Respondents in Nigeria are also most likely to believe their country will get “better” in the future (64%). In South Africa, more believe their country will get “worse” (45%) than get better (37%).

The issues driving dissatisfaction and unrest vary significantly between countries. Facing skyrocketing prices and new taxes in Kenya, most respondents consider “prices/cost-of-living” the country’s most urgent issue (62%). In Nigeria, the largest segment of respondents (33%) believe fighting “corruption” should be the top priority, while the crippling energy crisis in South Africa makes “electricity” the most urgent issue.

Political Parties and Leaders

Protestors across Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa rallied on Monday to call out their respective government’s inability to address their country’s issues. In our study, more than half of respondents in South Africa and Nigeria (59% and 53%) and just less than half in Kenya (46%) say they have a “somewhat” or “very unfavorable” opinion of the current government/ruling party.

Opposition party leaders face a fair amount of skepticism as well. Respondents’ opinions of the opposition parties/leaders spearheading the mass actions in their country (Azimio/Raila Odinga in Kenya, PDP/Atiku Abubakar in Nigeria, and EFF/Julius Malema in South Africa) skew only slightly more favorable than their opinions of the ruling party.

Planned Participation

Most respondents did not plan to participate actively in the Monday nationwide strike (59%). Almost 1 in 4 (22%) did plan to participate, however. Another 19% were not yet sure, creating the potential for a formidable shutdown. Nigeria had the largest segment planning to participate at 27%.

The percentages that planned to participate in protests or demonstrations this week show similar trends. Kenya, where the protests were declared illegal, had the fewest planning to participate (20%).

Potential Outcomes

One of the reasons why respondents may have been hesitant to participate in the strikes and protests is the potential for violence. A majority in all three countries say they are “extremely concerned” about the protests leading to violence or destruction.

Early reports out of Kenya on Monday describe the use of tear gas and arrests in response to the protests. In South Africa, 87 people were arrested before the protests even began for alleged public violence.

In addition to concerns about violence, many also express skepticism about the impact of the protests. The largest segment overall say they are “not optimistic at all” that the strikes/protests will positively impact their country. Skepticism runs particularly high in South Africa (47%) and Kenya (46%).

Interactive Data Dashboard

Dive deeper into the full results from this study using the interactive dashboard below. The dashboard provides responses to each question in the survey, filterable by region, age group, and gender.

Conduct Research in Times of Crisis

GeoPoll has extensive experience conducting research in times of crisis and unrest through remote mobile-based methodologies. In situations when it is otherwise impossible to get information from people on the ground, remote data collection allows governments and democracy groups to reach citizens in remote areas or conflict zones quickly and safely, without the need for on-the-ground enumerators.

To learn more about GeoPoll’s capabilities across Africa and around the world, please contact us.

Top photo credits: @EFFSouthAfrica

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