A co-ordinated effort between the GSM Association (GSMA), six African operators and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) will pilot $40 (R654) entry-level 4G smartphones in six African nations this year.

This, as 710 million of Africa’s population live close to a 4G broadband signal, but have never gone online, with a further 68% not owning a device.

On the continent, entry-level smartphones cost 26% of the average person’s income. For the poorest 40%, the cost jumps to 64% of their income, and for the next 20%, the cost reaches 87%, data from the GSMA has shown.

To address the cost-prohibitive hurdles, the industry body has been a strong advocate of bringing down the cost of devices. It believes that affordable 4G smartphones at scale could bring tens of millions of people online, unlocking access to education, healthcare, financial services, e-commerce and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered tools.

Angela Wamola, head of GSMA Africa, said that the pilots will launch in six countries: DRC, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda.

She added that the pilots build on the minimum specifications for low-cost 4G devices unveiled at MWC Kigali in 2025 and represent a step forward in turning industry alignment into tangible, on-the-ground impact.

The specifications focus on screen size, battery life and storage for a meaningful device that creates utility, particularly in the age of AI, Wamola added.

“Affordability and access of the device is critical for us to resolve. At the same time, getting a device is also about a willingness to purchase, which is about utility. Creating utility relevant to people’s lives, be it in manufacturing, agriculture, information, health and education, etc. It’s about bringing that content and government services online.

“The cherry on top is about local languages. People want to consume relevant content, but it must be in their local language.”

“As the devices land in the hands of the people, the languages will be readily available. Our small, medium-sized entrepreneurs, developers, innovators can begin to create content and products for our population. This is the magic that needs to happen to close the usage gap in the shortest time possible.”

The announcement, made in Barcelona, moves a step further from MWC Kigali by solidifying the vendors and operators that responded to the minimum specifications for the $40 device call, according to Wamola.

The marketplace now consists of private sector operators, as well as original equipment manufacturers that are engaging the six countries where the pilots will take place, she stated.

“At the same time, the GSMA is working with the governments of those nations to understand what fiscal policy incentives can be placed for these $40 entry-level devices, so that they land at the hands of the customer at the same price point.”

Wamola also indicated the coalition is taking a page out of the South African government’s book. It removed the 9% ad valorem tax, commonly referred to as luxury tax, on smartphones within the below-R2 500 price range.

Ad valorem duties are taxes levied on commodities as a certain percentage of their value. For smartphones, the duties are charged at a flat rate of 9%, classifying them as luxury goods.

In May, National Treasury confirmed the luxury tax on entry-level smartphones had been removed.

The GSMA saw how the market responded to adopting those devices when the government of South Africa removed the 9% luxury tax, she stated. “For us, it’s about replicating those lessons across Africa, so that governments can also adopt those.”

Vivek Badrinath, director-general of the GSMA, added: “Affordable smartphones are the gateway to digital and financial inclusion, economic opportunity and innovation; 3.1 billion people have mobile coverage but are not connected to the mobile internet.

“Together with the G6 group of leading African operators, we are sending a clear demand signal to bring low-cost 4G devices to market. In a global context of rising memory costs, governments have an important role in bridging the usage gap. Removing taxes and import duties on entry-level 4G smartphones will be critical to achieving scale.”

Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, has reported a 96 per cent drop in direct exposure to illicit activities between January 2023 and June 2025, underscoring its commitment to regulatory excellence and user safety amid Nigeria’s growing digital finance sector.

Binance

The exchange highlighted investments in a robust compliance framework, including over 580 global compliance professionals and 970 staff in related roles, advanced transaction monitoring, stringent Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols, and anti-money laundering (AML) systems.

These measures align with evolving regulations across key markets, including Nigeria, where crypto adoption surges despite Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) guidelines.

Binance’s Chief Compliance Officer, Noah Perlman, said: “At Binance we’ve built a system that doesn’t just react to threats, it anticipates them. A 96% reduction in illicit exposure is a testament to our infrastructure and the 1,500+ professionals working behind the scenes to protect our 300M users.”

Key achievements include a 96.8 per cent plunge in sanctions-related exposure—from 0.284 per cent in January 2024 to 0.009 per cent in July 2025.

In 2025 alone, Binance responded to over 71,000 law enforcement requests, helping seize more than $130 million (over ₦200 billion) in illicit funds.

Collaborations with agencies like Europol, DEA, UK’s NCA, and national cybercrime units have dismantled ransomware groups, darknet markets, and trafficking networks.

Binance co-CEO Richard Teng added: “Our mission has always been to increase the freedom of money, but that freedom is only sustainable if it is built on a foundation of trust. By integrating compliance into our product DNA, we are proving that the world’s largest exchange can also be the most secure.”

The platform engages regulators and policymakers to shape balanced rules supporting innovation while prioritising transparency and financial integrity. Since 2017, Binance has served over 300 million users, publishing regular compliance updates to build trust.

Industry watchers note Binance’s efforts resonate in Nigeria, where crypto trading volumes exceed $50 billion annually, but challenges like fraud and regulatory scrutiny persist. The exchange’s progress could bolster confidence as the CBN refines fintech policies.

Binance reaffirmed its dedication to a safer crypto ecosystem through ongoing investments and partnerships.

The future of secure and intelligent networking took centre stage over the weekend, as leading technology distributor, TD Africa, in collaboration with Cisco and Arravo Technology, hosted an exclusive C-level customer engagement focused on strengthening enterprise security and building resilient network infrastructures.

TD Africa

The event brought together senior decision-makers from various organisations to explore how businesses can drive resilience and digital transformation through Cisco’s Enterprise Networking, Meraki, and Security solutions.

The session provided practical insights tailored to the evolving needs of today’s digital enterprises, with discussions centred on enabling smarter, scalable network environments while strengthening cybersecurity frameworks.

Speaking at the event, Abiodun Idowu, Head of Enterprise Business at TD Africa, highlighted the growing need for organisations to adopt integrated networking and security strategies in an increasingly complex digital landscape.

“As businesses accelerate their digital transformation journeys, the need for secure, intelligent, and scalable networking solutions has never been greater.

“Through our collaboration with Cisco and Arravo, we are empowering organisations with the tools and insights required to build resilient infrastructures that support innovation while safeguarding critical operations,” he said.

The session also featured an in-depth technical presentation by Theodore Chukwudi, Cisco Solutions Architect, who led discussions on Cisco Meraki’s Cloud-Managed Networking and its role in simplifying network management while enhancing visibility and security.

“Cisco Meraki enables organisations to deploy and manage networks with greater agility and confidence. By leveraging cloud-managed solutions, businesses can enhance operational efficiency, improve security posture, and respond more effectively to emerging threats,” Chukwudi noted.

Offering further insight, Ayantola Olaayan, Director, Enterprise Business at Arravo, emphasised the importance of collaboration in helping organisations navigate modern networking demands. “Strategic partnerships like this enable us to deliver solutions that are both innovative and practical.

“By combining Arravo’s enterprise expertise with Cisco’s technology and TD Africa’s distribution strength, we are helping businesses simplify complexity and build secure, future-ready networks that support long-term growth,” he noted.

Participants gained valuable perspectives on how Cisco’s enterprise networking and security technologies can help mitigate risks, protect digital assets, and support business continuity in an increasingly connected environment.

TD Africa’s collaboration with Cisco and Arravo on this engagement reinforces its commitment to equipping organisations with the knowledge and solutions needed to navigate modern networking challenges and unlock new opportunities for growth.