Ghana moots lifting of smartphone import tax

The Government of Ghana is proposing the removal of import tax duties on smart phones. According to the Minister of Finance, Seth Terkper, the new proposal, yet to be presented to parliament for consideration and approval, will help increase smart phone penetration and the government in its policy of bridging the digital divide in the country. 

 

 Presenting the country’s 2015 Budget Statement and Economic Policy on the floor of parliament on Wednesday in Accra, the Minister of Finance acknowledged that mobile phone penetration is high in Ghana. However smartphones form only 15% of this penetration. 

 

 He mentioned that communication is currently shifting from voice to data and mobile data is projected to grow 6.3 times between 2013 and 2018 hence the need for the government to create the enabling environment for the realization of this development in the country. 

 

It is expected that the increase in smartphone penetration will increase revenue from Communication Service Tax, VAT and corporate taxes.

Source: Biztechafrica.com