KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of the Congo — Africa’s mobile sector is projected to contribute 270 billion dollars to the continent’s economy by 2030, according to data highlighted Tuesday by Airtel Africa’s chief regulatory officer.
Daddy Mukadi, who also chairs the GSMA Africa Policy Group, discussed the growth projections during a digital roadmap summit in Kinshasa attended by President Felix Tshisekedi. Mukadi noted that the mobile industry already contributed 220 billion dollars to the continent’s economy in 2024, representing 7.7 percent of the total gross domestic product.
Despite the significant economic footprint, Mukadi warned that nearly 75 percent of people across Africa remain offline. While mobile networks reach 95 percent of the population, the cost of devices remains a primary barrier to digital inclusion.
To ensure the sector meets its 2030 growth potential, Mukadi called for urgent tax reforms. He proposed a two to three-year exemption on import duties and taxes for entry-level smartphones priced between 40 and 150 dollars. He also recommended removing duties on telecommunications equipment for at least three years to facilitate network expansion.
The proposed reforms are intended to lower the cost of connectivity and integrate more businesses into the digital economy. Mukadi argued that the telecommunications industry should be treated as a foundational pillar for national development, noting that sectors such as finance, transport and health now depend on digital infrastructure for growth.
Airtel Africa serves 173.8 million customers across 14 sub-Saharan countries, providing mobile voice, data and financial services.
