Taxing mobile connectivity in Sub-Saharan Africa - A review of mobile sector taxation and its impact on digital inclusion

B2B has emerged as a strategic growth area for operators and the wider tech/digital ecosystem. As the digital transformation of vertical sectors accelerates, gaining insights directly from enterprises is key. GSMA Intelligence surveyed more than 350 enterprises across China, from 10 vertical sectors, to gain insight into their digital transformation. The research focused on strategic objectives, investment plans, use of technology, deployment challenges, supplier decisions, tech sovereignty, and policy and regulation.

Africa has expanded mobile broadband coverage significantly, but a substantial connectivity gap remains. This report examines how spectrum availability, pricing and licensing conditions affect operators’ ability to expand coverage, improve network quality and support digital adoption. It provides a comprehensive assessment of Africa’s current spectrum policy and licensing landscape, highlighting key challenges around spectrum assignments, pricing, licence obligations, technology neutrality, spectrum roadmaps and licence duration.

Closing Africa’s connectivity gap will require coordinated action by governments, the private sector, development partners, civil society and other stakeholders to overcome persistent barriers to digital inclusion. This study provides evidence-based analysis of the structural and demand-side constraints that limit connectivity. It assesses existing digital inclusion initiatives and identifies opportunities to strengthen the ability and motivation of underserved groups to adopt and use internet services.