The GSMA Handset Affordability Coalition (G6) has announced plans to pilot affordable 4G smartphones in Nigeria and five other African countries in 2026. Priced at roughly ₦55,000 ($40), these devices aim to bridge Africa’s digital divide and make internet-enabled smartphones accessible to millions.
The initiative follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the GSMA Coalition, leading African telcos, and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). G6 operator members—including Airtel, Axian Telecom, Ethio Telecom, MTN, Orange, and Vodacom—plan to produce low-cost 4G devices to accelerate smartphone adoption across Africa. The move builds on minimum device requirements unveiled at MWC Kigali in 2025.
Addressing Africa’s Connectivity Gap
Africa has one of the world’s largest mobile internet usage gaps. In 2024, only 38% of the population was online, compared to a 68% global average. According to the GSMA Mobile Economy Africa 2025 report, approximately 960 million people—64% of the population—remain unconnected despite living in areas with network coverage.
The coalition believes affordable 4G smartphones could bring tens of millions of people online, unlocking access to education, financial services, e-commerce, healthcare, and AI tools.
“In Africa, 3.1 billion people have mobile coverage but are not connected to the mobile internet. Low-cost smartphones are the gateway to digital and financial inclusion, economic opportunity, and innovation,” said Vivek Badrinath, GSMA Director General. “Together with the G6 operators, we are sending a clear demand signal to bring entry-level 4G devices to market.”
Pilot Countries and Expansion
Beyond Nigeria, the pilot will cover Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Uganda. The effort is expected to complement rising smartphone shipments into Africa, which hit 84.4 million units in 2025—the strongest level since 2021.
Challenges: Chip Scarcity and Rising Costs
Global chip shortages and rising memory costs could complicate the rollout. Counterpoint Research predicts global smartphone prices may increase due to manufacturers prioritizing AI data centers over smartphones, with manufacturing costs rising between 8% and over 15%.
To counter these challenges, the GSMA has urged African governments to reduce or eliminate taxes and import duties on entry-level 4G smartphones, making devices more affordable at scale.
AI and Language Inclusion
The initiative also ties into GSMA-led AI Language Model projects aimed at reducing digital language barriers. These models are being developed to browse, translate, and make online content more accessible for users across the continent. The project will be showcased at MWC26 in Barcelona later this year.
By combining affordable devices with AI-powered accessibility tools, GSMA and its partners are seeking to make digital inclusion more practical and widespread, potentially bringing millions of unconnected Africans into the digital economy.
