The Chief Regulatory Officer of Airtel Africa and Chair of the GSMA Africa Policy Group, Daddy Mukadi, has called on African governments to urgently reform tax policies in the telecommunications sector to accelerate digital inclusion across the continent.
Mukadi made the call while speaking at the inaugural edition of the États Généraux du Secteur des Postes et Télécommunications held in Kinshasa, an event attended by President Félix Tshisekedi and key industry stakeholders.
He emphasised that telecommunications should no longer be treated as a support sector but as a central pillar of economic development across Africa.
“The telecoms sector can no longer be considered merely as a support sector. It is now a core sector. Every other sector, from security and finance to transport and health, depends on digital technology for growth,” Mukadi said.
His remarks come amid growing attention on Africa’s digital economy. According to the GSMA’s Mobile Economy Africa 2025 report, the sector contributed $220 billion to the continent’s GDP in 2024, representing 7.7 per cent, with projections to reach $270 billion by 2030.
Despite this growth, a significant connectivity gap persists. While mobile networks cover about 95 per cent of Africa’s population, nearly 75 per cent remain offline, largely due to the high cost of devices.
To address this, Mukadi proposed targeted fiscal reforms, including a two-to-three-year exemption on import duties and taxes for entry-level smartphones priced between $40 and $150. He also advocated a temporary removal of import duties on telecommunications infrastructure to support network expansion.
According to him, such measures would significantly improve affordability, accelerate access, and enable broader participation in the digital economy.
“These measures would help deliver inclusive and sustainable digital technology for economic and social progress. They would also support faster connectivity and improve access for millions of underserved communities,” he added.
Mukadi further stressed the need for stronger collaboration between governments and private sector players to create regulatory frameworks that encourage innovation, protect consumers, and attract long-term investment.
Industry analysts say policy reforms around taxation and infrastructure costs could play a decisive role in bridging Africa’s digital divide, particularly as demand for connectivity continues to rise across sectors.