In a new industry-wide initiative to boost digital inclusion in Africa, the GSMA and six of Africa’s largest mobile operators – Airtel, Axian Telecom, Ethio Telecom, MTN, Orange and Vodacom – have proposed a baseline set of minimum requirements for an affordable entry-level 4G smartphone.

Smartphone affordability remains the single largest barrier to mobile Internet adoption in sub-Saharan Africa.

More than three-billion people globally, despite living within mobile broadband coverage, do not use the Internet, with the affordability of handsets cited as the top challenge, GSMA’s 'State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2025' report shows.

GSMA Intelligence estimates that a $40 smartphone could bring mobile Internet within reach for an additional 20-million people in sub-Saharan Africa, while a $30 handset could enable up to 50-million to get connected.

Further, mobile Internet connectivity underpins access to education, healthcare, financial services and e-commerce, and is linked to poverty reduction and higher wellbeing.

Closing the usage gap in low- and middle-income countries between 2023 and 2030 could generate $3.5-trillion in additional GDP.

The new initiative, part of the GSMA Handset Affordability Coalition, aims to accelerate digital inclusion across Africa by lowering the cost of smartphone ownership for millions who remain unconnected.

Over the next few months, the GSMA will engage with original-equipment manufacturers and technology companies to consult on the proposed minimum requirements and gain support for affordable 4G devices.

The requirements propose baseline specifications for memory, RAM, camera quality, display size, battery performance and other features to ensure a viable, long-lasting 4G smartphone experience at a significantly reduced cost.

“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,” said GSMA director-general Vivek Badrinath.

The mobile industry is also calling on governments across Africa to remove taxes on entry-level smartphones priced below $100, pointing out that, in some countries, VAT and import duties can increase device prices by more than 30%, directly raising costs for citizens.

Earlier this year, South Africa introduced tax reforms on entry-level smartphones, a policy the industry urges other African governments to replicate to build momentum for digital transformation.