Agence Ecofin TikTok Agence Ecofin Youtube Agence WhatsApp

Public Management

Benin repeals the social media tax

Monday, 24 September 2018 21:48

(Ecofin Agency) - In Benin, just three days after it entered into force, the social media tax has been rescinded by the government. The info was announced in a statement published by the government on September 22, 2018.  

The tax abrogation was issued after a meeting between Benin’s president and his communication and finance ministers as well as telecommunication operators’ representatives.

Let’s note that this meeting was subsequent to an unusual mobilization against such tax that tremendously increased data costs so that it was unbearable for most of the residents. Indeed, on social media and even on the streets, many Beninese peacefully opposed the measure. To bypass the tax, the majority used Virtual private networks (VPN) thanks to which the telecommunication operators were unable to detect the use clients were making of their data. That way, users were able to use affordable data bundles to access applications and services targeted by those taxes.

It is worth reminding that in Uganda and Chad, such tax is still a hot topic.

Servan Ahougnon

Additional Info

  • communiques: Non
  • couleur: N/A
 
Finance


 
Mining


 
Telecom


ECOFIN AGENCY offers a selection of articles translated from AGENCE ECOFIN. Founded in 2011, Agence Ecofin is a leader in Francophone Pan-African economic news, particularly in West and Central Africa. The agency publishes daily news on nine African economic sectors: Public Management, Finance, ICT, Agribusiness, Energy, Mining, Transport & Logistics, Communication, and Training.

AGENCE ECOFIN
Mediamania Sarl
Rue du Léman, 6
1201 Genève
Tél: +41 22 301 96 11

EDITORIAL TEAM
redaction@agenceecofin.com

ADVERTISING SALES
Benjamin FLAUX
bf@agenceecofin.com
Tél: +41 22 301 96 11
Mob: +41 78 699 13 72

 

Please publish modules in offcanvas position.