Airtel has urged African governments to treat telecommunications as a core economic pillar rather than merely a support sector, arguing that the industry has become an essential utility underpinning sectors such as finance, transport, and healthcare.
Daddy Mukadi, chief regulatory officer of Airtel Africa and chair of GSMA Africa’s Policy Group, made the remarks during the États Généraux du Secteur des Postes et Télécommunications held in Kinshasa this week.
The event was convened to help shape a strategic roadmap for the Democratic Republic of Congo’s digital and telecommunications sector.
His comments come as GSMA analysis shows the mobile sector contributed US$220 billion to Africa’s economy in 2024, equivalent to 7.7% of GDP, with the figure projected to rise to US$270 billion by 2030.
Despite mobile networks covering 95% of the continent’s population, nearly 75% of Africans remain offline. Mukadi said affordability of devices remains the region’s biggest connectivity challenge.
To accelerate digital inclusion, he called on governments and industry stakeholders to introduce targeted tax reforms and supportive legal and regulatory frameworks to widen access to digital services.
Mukadi proposed a two- to three-year exemption on import duties and taxes for entry-level smartphones priced between US$40 and US$150 to help close the usage gap.
He also urged governments to remove import duties on telecommunications equipment for at least 3 years to support the expansion of network coverage.
“These measures would help deliver inclusive and sustainable digital technology for economic and social progress. They would also support faster connectivity, improved access, and the ability to connect more people, businesses, and communities to the digital economy,” the executive asserted.
He concluded by saying that the government and the private sector must work closely to create a regulatory environment that encourages innovation, protects consumer interests, and supports long-term investment.
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