In sub-Saharan Africa, a basic internet-enabled mobile phone can cost nearly nine out of ten units of monthly income for the poorest communities. For the bottom 20% of the population, a simple smartphone consumes 87% of their monthly GDP per capita, a staggering financial barrier that keeps millions offline.
Even broader population groups feel the strain. The poorest 40% spend 64%, while the population average sits at 26% of monthly GDP per capita on basic mobile connectivity. By comparison, Latin America & the Caribbean and East Asia & the Pacific show much lower burdens—41% and 33% for their poorest 20%, respectively.
The numbers underline a sharp affordability gap that hits sub-Saharan Africa hardest.
“The cost of devices is the single biggest obstacle to digital inclusion,” says Claire Sibthorpe, head of digital inclusion at GSMA. She points to South Africa’s recent removal of a luxury excise duty on entry-level handsets as a clear example of how targeted policy can improve access for lower-income populations.
The challenge extends beyond price. Around 60% of African mobile internet users rely on 3G devices, far above the global average of 16%. Maintaining outdated networks is expensive for telecom operators, which limits investment in faster 4G and 5G infrastructure. For millions, staying connected depends not just on towers and coverage, but on whether they can afford the device that links them to the internet.
Region / Population Group
Poorest 20% (% of monthly GDP per capita)
Poorest 40% (% of monthly GDP per capita)
Population Average (% of monthly GDP per capita)
Sub-Saharan Africa
87%
64%
26%
Latin America & Caribbean
41%
30%
18%
East Asia & Pacific
33%
24%
15%
The numbers tell a clear story: affordability is as critical as infrastructure in closing Africa’s digital divide. Lowering taxes on devices, phasing out expensive legacy networks, and promoting low-cost smartphones could dramatically widen internet access for millions of people who remain disconnected.
For the poorest, connectivity is not just a convenience—it’s a financial stretch that determines whether they can access essential services, education, and economic opportunity. Policies that make mobile devices more affordable have immediate impact, proving that digital inclusion is possible when cost barriers are addressed alongside network expansion.
Go to TECHTRENDSKE.co.ke for more tech and business news from the African continent.
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