The mobile industry is calling on governments across Africa to act swiftly to remove taxes on entry-level smartphones priced below $100.
The call to action was made by operators attending the on-going Mobile World Congress Kigali in Rwanda
The mobile industry body, GSMA, in partnership with six of Africa's leading mobile operators (Airtel, Axian Telecom, Ethio Telecom, MTN, Orange, and Vodacom), today proposed a set of basic requirements for an affordable entry-level 4G smartphone.
The call to governments is part of of the GSMA Handset Affordability Coalition, which aims to promote digital inclusion across the continent by lowering the cost of smartphone ownership for millions who are still unconnected.
The suggested base set of requirements by the group provide baseline specifications for memory, RAM, camera quality, display size, battery performance, and other elements that will ensure a viable, long-lasting 4G smartphone experience at a substantially lower cost.
Smartphone affordability remains the most significant obstacle to mobile internet adoption in Sub-Saharan Africa.
According to the State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2025 Report, more than 3 billion people globally live within mobile broadband coverage but do not use the internet, with device affordability seen as the most significant obstacle.
GSMA Intelligence estimates that a $40 smartphone may provide mobile internet access to an additional 20 million individuals in Sub-Saharan Africa, while a $30 handset could connect up to 50 million.
Vivek Badrinath, Director General of the GSMA, said: “Access to a smartphone is not a luxury – it is a lifeline to essential services, income opportunities and participation in the digital economy. By uniting around a shared vision for affordable 4G devices, Africa’s leading operators and the GSMA are sending a powerful signal to manufacturers and policymakers. This is an important step towards bridging the digital divide and ensuring that millions more people can reap the benefits of mobile connectivity.”
In the coming months, the GSMA said it will engage with original equipment manufacturer and technology companies to consult on the proposed minimum requirements and gain support for affordable 4G devices.
In added: “At the same time, the mobile industry is calling on governments across Africa to act swiftly to remove taxes on entry-level smartphones priced below $100. In some countries, VAT and import duties can increase device prices by more than 30%, directly raising costs for citizens and hindering digital inclusion efforts.”
According to GSMA, earlier this year, South Africa introduced tax reforms on entry-level smartphones – a policy the industry urges other African governments to replicate to build momentum for digital transformation.
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