GSMA warns rising smartphone costs could deepen Nigeria’s mobile internet gap

The Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) has issued a warning that escalating smartphone component costs could exacerbate Nigeria's mobile internet divide. In its 2026 State of Mobile Internet Connectivity Report, the GSMA reported that affordability remains the primary obstacle to mobile internet adoption in low- and middle-income countries, with over 3.4 billion individuals worldwide still unconnected.

The report highlighted that in Nigeria, the lowest 20% of earners spend an average of 44% of their monthly income on basic smartphones, a figure that rises to 76% in Sub-Saharan Africa. The surge in mobile broadband network coverage in Nigeria to over 50% in late 2025 has not offset the challenge of high smartphone prices, which continue to impede wider internet access.

The report calls for concerted efforts from policymakers, mobile operators, device manufacturers, and component suppliers to address the issue, emphasizing the need for affordable components, device reuse initiatives, reduced taxation, and enhanced distribution systems. GSMA's warning underscores the growing digital divide, where access to affordable devices could be the key to bridging the gap between those who can participate in the digital economy and those who cannot.