Tech

Taxes, duties affecting mobile phone usage in Nigeria— Report

Published

1 year ago

November 19, 2023

The Global System for Mobile Telecommunication Association (GSMA) has drawn attention to the detrimental effects of taxes and duties on smartphone adoption in Nigeria, Africa’s biggest tech base, and the continent at large.

The GSMA study claims that taxes and duties raise smartphone prices by 10 to 30%, depending on the African nation, making the device less accessible for a large number of people.

According to GSMA’s “The Mobile Economy in Sub-Saharan Africa (2023)” report, manufacturers in SSA face difficulties in producing affordable devices due to high manufacturing costs, particularly in the 5G and 4G markets.

According to the report, 60% of Africans lack mobile internet access despite coverage, and smartphone affordability is still a major barrier to mobile internet usage in the region.

At the beginning of 2023, 122.5 million Nigerians were online, with a 55.4% internet penetration rate. In the same year, 193.9 million cellular mobile connections were active, which is equal to 87.7% of the country’s total population.

During the week, the Network Service Providers Association of Zambia (NSPAZ) announced that from January 1, 2024, the cost of fixed internet services would increase by 17.5%, also posing a threat to internet and mobile phone use in the country.

The GSMA research complimented cooperative efforts between operators and manufacturers to address these issues which have resulted in a recent drop in the average selling price of smartphones.

The proliferation of smartphones under $100, especially from Chinese brands such as Tecno, Itel, and Infinix, has been instrumental in democratising smartphone access.

Moreover, operators are working in tandem with manufacturers to control expenses and provide consumers with financing options, which is supporting continuous initiatives to improve the region’s digital penetration, the report notes.

Related Topics:Featured Nigeria smart phones

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Tech

Ghana partners with The Gambia to provide free roaming services

Published

1 day ago

November 21, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghana and The Gambia are in the process of launching free roaming services that will enhance a West African connectivity.

The plan which is a joint initiative of the Ghana Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation and The Gambian National Communications Authority (NCA) will see mobile users in both countries avoiding extra charges for calls, texts, and data, which in turn, is expected to boost trade, tourism, and economic integration across borders.

The collaboration, according to a joint statement by the two bodies, aligns with the Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) broader push for seamless regional communication.

“Ghana and The Gambia are forging new paths in West Africa’s digital landscape, implementing a free-roaming initiative,” the statement said.

“This move strengthens regional connectivity while highlighting the role of technological collaboration in fostering economic integration. The initiative enables mobile users travelling between the two nations to make calls, send messages, and use data services without additional roaming fees.”

It further noted that by reducing these costs, the program aligns with the ECOWAS Free Roaming Initiative, which seeks to eliminate barriers to communication across member states.

“It is a boost for trade and travel as the free roaming plan is expected to spur economic activities by streamlining cross-border communication.

“Businesses and individuals travelling between Ghana and The Gambia can now stay connected without worrying about exorbitant charges, facilitating smoother transactions and personal interactions. The initiative is also expected to attract more tourists by ensuring seamless digital access for visitors.

“This collaboration marks another milestone in Ghana’s commitment to expanding digital connectivity, following Ghana’s successful implementation of similar agreements with Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and Benin, with talks of possible roaming partnerships with Liberia.

“By focusing on digital integration, Ghana and The Gambia demonstrate the power of technology to bridge gaps between countries. This step also serves as a model for other West African nations to join the free-roaming framework, contributing to the larger goal of a connected and economically integrated region,” it added.

Tech

Tanzania to host 6th Ocean Innovation Africa summit in February

Published

2 days ago

November 20, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, has been selected to host the sixth edition of the Ocean Innovation Africa (OIA) summit from February 24-28, 2025, as a flagship event within Regenerative Ocean Week.

The Ocean Innovation Africa is set to be Africa’s most significant platform for Ocean Innovation conservation, and sustainable development in the blue economy. OIA2025 will be co-organised with leading partners, including IUCN, GIZ, OceanHub Africa, Catalyze and the Ocean-Climate Platform.

With the theme, “Science-to-Solution”, the Regenerative Ocean Week will present a line-up of sessions designed to bridge the gap between scientific research, business innovation, policy, and community engagement.

According to the organizers of the event, it will bring together African ocean innovators, investors, researchers, policymakers, and community leaders to explore practical solutions that can be applied across the continent.

“These include the OIA Pitch Competition, which is a platform for Africa-based startups and entrepreneurs to showcase breakthrough ideas in ocean-impact solutions, allowing them to connect with investors and industry leaders and emphasizing Africa’s role in driving sustainable ocean initiatives,” the organizers said in a statement.