Ghana cutting import tax in smartphones to boost ICT growth

The Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI) has welcomed Ghana’s commitment to abolish pricey import duties on smartphones.
The Ghanian government has announced these first steps in a drive to enable affordable internet access through policy reform. A4AI said the step, confirmed in the 2015 Budget presented, was a key recommendation developed by A4AI-Ghana Multi-stakeholder coalition established earlier this year.

Proposals to remove this duty were recommended by the A4AI Ghana Coalition Working Group on Taxation, led by Kwaku Saakyi-Addo, CEO of Telecoms Chamber.
According to Telecompaper, the elimination of the 20 percent import duty will essentially reduce the cost of handsets in Ghana, where taxes make up approximately 35 percent of the cost of a smartphone. It is expected that the increase in smartphone penetration, following the lower taxes, will increase revenue from Communication Service Tax, VAT and corporate taxes.