Joy Agwunobi
The GSMA, in partnership with six of Africa’s largest mobile operators—Airtel, Axian Telecom, Ethio Telecom, MTN, Orange, and Vodacom,has unveiled a landmark proposal outlining a set of minimum requirements for affordable entry-level 4G smartphones, in a move aimed at expanding digital inclusion across the continent.
The initiative, launched under the GSMA Handset Affordability Coalition, seeks to make smartphones more accessible to millions of Africans who remain unconnected due to cost barriers. It represents a united effort between the global mobile industry body and major African network operators to stimulate local markets, influence manufacturing standards, and drive down handset prices.
According to the GSMA’s State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2025 Report, affordability remains the single biggest obstacle to mobile internet adoption in sub-Saharan Africa. The report notes that while more than three billion people globally live within mobile broadband coverage, many are still offline because they cannot afford suitable handsets.
Estimates from GSMA Intelligence show that a smartphone priced around $40 could bring mobile internet within reach for an additional 20 million people in sub-Saharan Africa, while a $30 handset could potentially connect 50 million more.
Under the new proposal, the GSMA and its partners recommend a baseline set of specifications for affordable 4G devices covering essential features such as memory, RAM, camera quality, display size, and battery performance to ensure a durable and satisfying user experience even at lower price points.
Speaking on the development, Vivek Badrinath, director general of the GSMA, said the move underscores the critical role of smartphones in enabling access to vital services and digital opportunities.
“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,” he stated.
The GSMA said it will begin consultations with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and technology partners to refine the proposed minimum requirements and rally support for affordable 4G production.
At the same time, the industry body is urging African governments to eliminate taxes on smartphones priced below $100, warning that high tariffs continue to inflate device prices and stall digital inclusion efforts.
In several African markets, value-added tax (VAT) and import duties can raise the retail cost of entry-level smartphones by more than 30 percent, putting them beyond the reach of low-income earners. The GSMA pointed to South Africa’s recent tax reforms on entry-level smartphones as an example of policy action that other governments should emulate to promote digital transformation.
Mobile internet connectivity, the GSMA noted, plays a transformative role in unlocking access to education, healthcare, financial services, and e-commerce, all of which contribute to poverty reduction and economic empowerment. The organisation estimates that closing the mobile internet usage gap in low- and middle-income countries between 2023 and 2030 could generate as much as $3.5 trillion in additional GDP, highlighting the transformative potential of inclusive digital access.
The GSMA Handset Affordability Coalition emphasised that affordable smartphones are the foundation of Africa’s digital future. By introducing a common affordability standard and advocating supportive policy reforms, the coalition and its partners aim to ensure that every African regardless of income level has the opportunity to participate fully in the digital economy.
By proposing a common affordability standard and advocating policy reforms to complement it, the GSMA and its partners are positioning Africa for a new phase of digital inclusion,one where no citizen is left behind due to the cost of connectivity.
