The GSM Association (GSMA), in collaboration with six of Africa’s prominent mobile operators—Airtel Africa, Axian Telecom, Ethio Telecom, MTN, Orange, and Vodacom—has unveiled a significant proposal aimed at enhancing digital inclusion across the continent. Announced during the Mobile World Congress 2025 in Kigali, this initiative, operating under the GSMA Handset Affordability Coalition, seeks to establish minimum specifications for affordable entry-level 4G smartphones.

The primary goal is to address the pervasive issue of smartphone affordability, which remains the most substantial barrier to mobile internet adoption throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. Despite over three billion people globally living within mobile broadband coverage, they remain offline, with handset cost identified as the leading obstacle, according to the GSMA’s State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2025 Report. While global smartphone penetration has reached an impressive 89% and exceeds 95% in developed economies, it lags significantly below 50% in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, thereby exacerbating the region’s digital divide.

GSMA Intelligence projections underscore the potential impact of reducing handset costs: a $40 smartphone could connect an additional 20 million people in the region, and a $30 handset could extend access to as many as 50 million. To achieve this, the proposed baseline requirements for affordable 4G smartphones outline essential minimum standards for key features, including memory, RAM, camera quality, display size, and battery life. These specifications are designed to guarantee that even the most economical 4G devices offer a reliable and durable user experience.

Vivek Badrinath, GSMA Director General, emphasized the critical nature of this access at the Kigali event, stating, “Access to a smartphone is not a luxury, it is a lifeline to essential services, income opportunities and participation in the digital economy.” He added that the unified vision by Africa’s leading operators and the GSMA sends a powerful message to manufacturers and policymakers.

Looking ahead, the GSMA plans to engage extensively with device makers and technology firms. This engagement is crucial for refining the proposed specifications and garnering widespread support for the large-scale production of these low-cost 4G handsets. Furthermore, the coalition has urged African governments to eliminate taxes and import duties on entry-level smartphones priced under $100. Such levies can inflate consumer costs by over 30%, making devices unaffordable. South Africa's recent removal of these taxes is highlighted as a model for other countries to emulate.

The GSMA asserts that affordable smartphones are indispensable for fostering inclusive growth. Mobile connectivity facilitates access to vital services such as education, healthcare, and financial services. Bridging the digital usage gap between 2023 and 2030 is projected to generate an estimated $3.5 trillion in GDP across low- and middle-income countries, demonstrating the profound economic and social benefits of this initiative.