African governments have been urged to treat telecommunications as a core driver of economic development and adopt targeted tax reforms to expand digital access across the continent.
Daddy Mukadi, Chief Regulatory Officer of Airtel Africa and Chair of the GSMA Africa Policy Group, made the call during the first edition of the États Généraux du Secteur des Postes et Télécommunications in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. The event, attended by President Félix Tshisekedi, was convened to support the development of a strategic roadmap for the country’s digital and telecommunications sector.
Mukadi said telecommunications should no longer be viewed merely as a support service, but as a foundational sector that underpins growth in areas such as security, finance, transport and healthcare.
“The telecoms sector can no longer be considered merely as a support sector,” Mukadi said. “It is now a core sector. Both are vital, and every other sector, from security and finance to transport and health, depends on digital technology for growth.”
His remarks come as Africa continues to grapple with a major connectivity gap. According to GSMA’s Mobile Economy Africa 2025 report cited in the statement, the mobile sector contributed US$220 billion to Africa’s economy in 2024, equivalent to 7.7% of GDP, and is projected to reach US$270 billion by 2030. However, despite mobile networks covering 95% of the continent’s population, nearly 75% of Africans remain offline.
Mukadi identified affordability as a major barrier to digital inclusion, particularly the cost of smartphones and taxes on telecommunications infrastructure. He proposed a two-to-three-year exemption on import duties and taxes for entry-level smartphones priced between US$40 and US$150, saying the measure would help more people access digital services.
He also called for the removal of entry duties on telecommunications equipment for at least three years to encourage investment in network expansion and help close the coverage and usage gaps.
“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.”
Mukadi added that closer collaboration between governments and the private sector would be essential to creating a regulatory environment that supports innovation, safeguards consumers and encourages long-term investment.
Airtel Africa operates in 14 countries across sub-Saharan Africa and provides mobile voice, data and mobile money services to 173.8 million customers. The company says its strategy is focused on improving customer experience while expanding digital and financial inclusion across the continent.