Six African Countries to Pilot Affordable USD 40 Smartphones
Saturday, March 7, 2026
The GSMA announced that six African countries – Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda – have been identified by the GSMA Handset Affordability Coalition for initial pilots to introduce affordable 4G smartphones and look to Governments to support their efforts.
The MoU, signed between the GSMA, the G6 group of leading African operators and original equipment manufacturers (OEM) partners, formalises collaboration to pilot affordable entry-level 4G smartphones in Africa in 2026. Contd
The pilots build on the minimum requirements for low-cost 4G devices unveiled at MWC Kigali in 2025 and represent a significant step forward in turning industry alignment into tangible, on-the-ground impact.
The GSMA Handset Affordability Coalition brings together mobile operators, OEMs, financing institutions and international organisations including the World Bank Group and the ITU. Its objective is to lower the cost of entry-level smartphones worldwide and accelerate digital inclusion in markets where affordability remains a key barrier.
However, the current surge in the global cost of memory prices is making it increasingly difficult to attain the critical USD 30 – 40 price range required to unlock mass adoption. Against this economic context and considering that few opportunities exist to lower materials and manufacturing costs for entry-level devices, it has become even more important to reduce or eliminate taxes and import duties on entry-level 4G smartphones.
Vivek Badrinath, Director General of the GSMA said, “Affordable smartphones are the gateway to digital and financial inclusion, economic opportunity and innovation. 3.1 billion people have mobile coverage but are not connected to the mobile internet. Together with the G6 group of leading African operators, we are sending a clear demand signal to bring low-cost 4G devices to market. In a global context of rising memory costs, governments have an important role in bridging the usage gap. Removing taxes and import duties on entry-level 4G smartphones will be critical to achieving scale.”
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