Airtel Africa Executive Urges Governments to Prioritise Connectivity Across Africa

A senior executive at Airtel Africa  has urged governments across the continent to elevate telecommunications to the status of a key economic driver, emphasizing the need to prioritise connectivity as a national agenda. Daddy Bujitu Mukadi, who serves as Chief Regulatory Officer at Airtel Africa and also chairs policy discussions for the GSMA Africa, made this appeal while advocating for stronger collaboration between policymakers and industry players to accelerate inclusive digital growth.

Mukadi delivered his remarks during the inaugural États Généraux du Secteur des Postes et Télécommunications held in Kinshasa, an event attended by Félix Tshisekedi. He stressed that telecommunications should no longer be viewed as a supporting sector but rather as a foundational element of modern economies, with digital technology serving as its lifeblood.

Highlighting the current connectivity gap, Mukadi pointed out that although mobile networks reach about 95% of Africa’s population, roughly three-quarters of people are still not online. He identified the high cost of devices as the most significant obstacle preventing wider internet adoption.

To address this challenge, Mukadi proposed policy reforms aimed at improving affordability and expanding access. These include a temporary two- to three-year waiver on import duties and taxes for entry-level smartphones priced between $40 and $150, as well as a three-year suspension of import duties on telecommunications equipment to support further network expansion across the continent.