Airtel Zambia CEO Hussam Badday underscored the pivotal role of smartphones in achieving Zambia’s national development goals, highlighting that affordable smartphone access is integral to the country’s economic transformation and digital inclusion.
Speaking during a high-profile engagement with Science and Technology Minister Felix Mutati, Airtel Zambia Managing Director & CEO Hussam Badday, emphasized that smartphones are not just communication tools, but critical enablers across all five national pillars: economic growth, public sector digitization, financial inclusion, education, and healthcare.
He disclosed that Zambia will need about 10 million affordable smartphones to support the Grow Zambia Agenda in the next five years from now.
“A smartphone is no longer a luxury, it is an economic multiplier,” Badday stated. “It enables greater participation in the digital economy, drives productivity, and increases government revenue through greater usage of digital services.”
He identified affordability as the primary barrier to broader smartphone adoption. “If we can overcome the affordability challenge, we can unlock progress across all sectors. Increased smartphone penetration means more citizens are digitally engaged, spurring economic growth and higher tax revenues.”
With smartphone penetration at just 45%, Airtel advocated for tax exemptions and partnerships to make smartphones more affordable and accessible, aiming for 10 million smartphones in Zambia over the next five years. Research cited by the CEO indicated that a 10% increase in broadband penetration could also significantly boost Zambia’s GDP by $800 million annually, with 20% of this growth translating into additional tax revenue.
“The total target of 10 million units of smartphones needed can be divided into two categories. First, 4 million units will be purchased organically as more customers each year choose to buy a smartphone. This organic demand is driven by the need for improved productivity and the ability to conduct business more efficiently. These are customers who would have made the purchase regardless, so this segment does not require additional intervention.”
Airtel Managing Director, however, said the real challenge lies in addressing the remaining 6 million units. “This is where investment and strategic initiatives are necessary. When considering costs, I am referring specifically to entry-level smartphones, not the high-end models that many of us use today. It is important to note that many in this room are already digitally engaged, but our focus must be on making smartphones accessible to those who are not yet connected.”
He illustrated how smartphones empower farmers with access to weather data and precision agriculture, facilitate telemedicine and remote healthcare, expand e-learning opportunities, and enable digital government services. In mining and for SMEs, smartphones are essential tools for efficiency and information access.
Citing research, Badday noted that every 10% increase in broadband penetration can boost Zambia’s GDP by $800 million annually, with 20% of that growth directly benefiting the national treasury. Currently, Zambia’s GDP stands at $29 billion, and smartphone penetration is just 45%. Without decisive intervention, this figure will only rise to 60% in five years, far short of the President’s 80% broadband vision. To bridge this gap, Badday called for a bold target: 10 million additional smartphones in five years.
To achieve this, he proposed: Removal of taxes on entry-level smartphones, ensuring that any lost tax revenue would be offset by increased consumption and digital activity; Targeted support for low-income households, farmers, and rural women through collaborative programs; Expanded device financing and partnerships by mobile network operators; and Greater involvement from NGOs, recognizing that device access is as fundamental as network infrastructure.
“Let’s make smartphone access as universal as electricity. Smartphones are digital infrastructure, essential to unlocking Zambia’s economic potential and achieving the nation’s ambitious targets.” Badday concluded.
Science and Technology Minister Felix Mutati who was guest of honor said the government fully agrees that one of the most significant challenges to economic growth lies in the accessibility of smartphones. He said while all other necessary steps are being taken, true progress will be limited if citizens lack the devices needed to engage with digital services and interact with government.
“As the President has emphasized, our goal is to expand broadband coverage to 80% within the next five years. However, to realize the full benefits of this investment, it is essential that Zambians have the smartphones required to make the most of this expanded connectivity. Without widespread device access, even the best broadband infrastructure cannot drive the digital participation and economic advancement we seek.”
He said the government fully aligns with the vision that accelerating Zambia’s economic growth fundamentally depends on widespread smartphone access. While significant progress has been made expanding broadband infrastructure, real impact will only be achieved if citizens are equipped with the devices necessary to participate in the digital economy and access essential government services.
He said the transformative impact of the ICT sector is undeniable. “Today, it contributes nearly 20% to Zambia’s GDP, outpacing even the mining industry, and stands as the country’s largest employer, with Airtel alone creating two million jobs. No other sector matches ICT in job creation or economic growth, and its rapid expansion continues to shape Zambia’s future.”
He added that to truly double GDP in the next five years, the government is committed to leading the charge on smartphone accessibility. Ambition must be matched by action: we must remove barriers, invest in device access, and ensure that the “fuel” for our digital journey is available to all. Without affordable smartphones, even the best infrastructure cannot deliver on its promise.
