GSMA urges Africa to lower smartphone taxes for digital inclusion
The GSM Association (GSMA) has called on African governments, including Nigeria, to reduce taxes on entry-level smartphones to help close the digital divide. At a recent workshop in Abuja, GSMA leaders highlighted that nearly 961 million Africans remain offline despite being covered by mobile broadband networks. Caroline Mbugua and Michaela Angonius from GSMA emphasized that affordability and regulatory reforms are crucial for boosting digital adoption and supporting Africa’s AI ambitions. The Digital Africa Index was also introduced as a tool to guide policy decisions and measure digital progress across the continent.
What we know
- The GSMA says about 961 million Africans have mobile broadband coverage but are not using the service, mainly due to affordability issues.
- Caroline Mbugua urged governments to cut taxes on entry-level smartphones and adopt technology-neutral regulations to bridge the usage gap.
- Michaela Angonius recommended modernising telecom licensing and better use of Universal Service Funds to reduce costs for operators and users.
- The Digital Africa Index was launched to help policymakers make data-driven decisions and track digital development.
- John Omo of the African Telecommunications Union noted that mobile technologies contribute $240bn to Africa’s economy and support 13 million jobs, but stressed that affordability and digital skills are key challenges.
