GSMA pilots $40 smartphones in six African countries amid cost doubts
Mar 8th 2026
The GSMA and major operators aim to roll out $30 to $40 smartphones to connect about 20 million people, but rising component costs, import taxes and thin margins challenge large-scale production.
- GSMA is working with Airtel, Axian Telecom, Ethio Telecom, MTN, Orange and Vodafone to pilot ultra-low-cost 4G phones in the DRC, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.