Democratic Republic of Congo, May 5, 2026 The Chief Regulatory Officer of Airtel Africa and Chair of GSMA Africa’s Policy Group, Mr. Daddy Mukadi, has urged African governments to urgently reform taxation policies affecting the telecommunications sector in order to fast-track digital inclusion across the continent.
Speaking at the first edition of the États Généraux du Secteur des Postes et Télécommunications held in Kinshasa, an event aimed at shaping a strategic roadmap for the Democratic Republic of Congo’s digital and telecommunications sector, Mukadi called for a shift in how governments perceive the industry, emphasizing that telecommunications should be treated as a central pillar of economic development rather than a supporting sector.
He made the remarks in the presence of President Félix Tshisekedi, alongside policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders gathered to discuss the future of Africa’s digital economy.
“The telecoms sector can no longer be considered merely as a support sector,” Mukadi said. “It is now a core sector. Every other sector, from security and finance to transport and health, depends on digital technology for growth.”
His statement comes at a time when Africa’s digital transformation is accelerating but still faces major structural challenges.
According to GSMA’s Mobile Economy Africa 2025 report, the mobile industry contributed around 220 billion US dollars to Africa’s economy in 2024, representing 7.7 percent of GDP. This contribution is expected to rise to 270 billion US dollars by 2030.
Despite this growth, connectivity gaps remain significant. Although mobile networks now cover about 95 percent of Africa’s population, nearly three-quarters of Africans remain offline, highlighting a major usage gap rather than a coverage gap.
GSMA identifies affordability, particularly of smartphones, as one of the main barriers to digital inclusion.
To address this challenge, Mukadi proposed targeted tax reforms that he said could significantly expand access to digital services.
He recommended a two-to-three-year exemption on import duties and taxes for entry-level smartphones priced between 40 and 150 US dollars, arguing that this would make devices more affordable for millions of people currently excluded from the digital economy.
He also called for the removal of import duties on telecommunications equipment for at least three years, saying this would help reduce the cost of expanding network infrastructure and accelerate coverage expansion, particularly in underserved rural and peri-urban areas.
“These measures would help deliver inclusive and sustainable digital technology for economic and social progress,” Mukadi said.
“They would also support faster connectivity, improved access, and the ability to connect more people, businesses, and communities to the digital economy.”he added
Mukadi further stressed the need for stronger collaboration between governments and the private sector in designing regulatory frameworks that encourage innovation, attract long-term investment, and ensure consumer protection while expanding access to digital services.
Industry stakeholders at the Kinshasa forum echoed concerns about the high cost of connectivity across Africa, noting that taxation on devices and infrastructure remains a major constraint to achieving universal digital access.
Airtel Africa, one of the continent’s leading telecommunications and mobile money operators, currently operates in 14 countries across sub-Saharan Africa, serving over 173 million customers through mobile voice, data, and financial services.
The company says its strategy focuses on expanding digital and financial inclusion to transform lives across the continent.
The GSMA, which represents mobile operators worldwide, continues to advocate for policy reforms that lower the cost of access and accelerate digital adoption as Africa seeks to deepen its participation in the global digital economy.
