• Six major African operators and GSMA are setting a unified standard for low-cost 4G smartphones priced between $30 and $40.
• The initiative could bring mobile internet access to up to 50 million new users across sub-Saharan Africa.
• GSMA urges governments to remove taxes on low-cost devices to boost digital inclusion.

A coalition of African telecom operators has joined forces with the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) to make affordable 4G smartphones widely available across the continent.

At the Mobile World Congress held in Kigali, Rwanda, on October 21, 2025, Airtel, Axian Telecom, Ethio Telecom, MTN, Orange, and Vodacom signed an agreement with the GSMA to create a minimum technical standard covering memory, battery, display, and camera requirements. The goal is to produce durable 4G smartphones priced between $30 and $40, offering what the GSMA called a “sufficient and sustainable” user experience.

The GSMA estimates that hardware components—such as screens, processors, memory, and batteries—account for 50% to 70% of a smartphone’s total cost. Reducing prices sustainably, the organization said, requires economies of scale and streamlined logistics, licensing, and distribution margins.

By setting a single technical standard, operators can pool orders and push suppliers to cut prices through higher production volumes. The purpose of the GSMA standard is precisely that—to coordinate demand around a unified model, give manufacturers confidence, and enable mass production at lower cost.

Industry and Policy Levers

To achieve the $30 smartphone vision, the GSMA plans to engage original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and tech companies in the coming months to finalize minimum specifications and secure support. It is also calling on African governments to eliminate taxes on entry-level smartphones priced below $100.

In March 2025, South Africa removed excise duties on devices costing under 2,500 rand ($136) to make them more affordable. “In some countries, VAT and import duties can raise handset prices by more than 30%, directly burdening citizens and slowing digital inclusion,” 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,” said GSMA Director General Vivek Badrinath. “By uniting around a common vision for affordable 4G devices, Africa’s leading operators and the GSMA are sending a strong signal to manufacturers and policymakers.”

While network coverage has expanded significantly, device affordability remains the main barrier to mobile internet access in Africa. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), 3G coverage in 2024 reached 86% of the population, 4G reached 71%, and 5G reached 11%. However, only 52% of Africans were connected to mobile broadband.

GSMA Intelligence estimates that a $40 smartphone could bring 20 million new users online in sub-Saharan Africa, while a $30 device could connect up to 50 million.

The GSMA considers a smartphone affordable if it costs between 15% and 20% of the average monthly income. In low- and middle-income countries, entry-level smartphones represent about 18% of an adult’s monthly income, according to the World Bank. For the poorest 40% of households in sub-Saharan Africa, the cost rises to 73%.

For telecom operators, lower device costs could translate into higher data consumption and revenue. Wider smartphone adoption would also strengthen their position in mobile financial services and digital ecosystems.

This article was initially published in French by Muriel Edjo

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum