Angola reduces import taxes on mobile digital devices

The Government has made it known that it will significantly reduce the import tax on mobile devices, with a drop in the tariff from 10 percent to just 2.0 percent.

This measure aims to make mobile devices more accessible to the Angolan population and encourage the growth of the telecommunications and information technology sectors in the country.

The tax reduction, a joint effort by the Angolan Communications Institute, the Ministry of Telecommunications, Information Technologies and Social Communication and the Ministry of Finance, aims to reduce the final cost of mobile devices, allowing a greater number of citizens to have access to smartphones and other essential technologies. With such a change, the prices of mobile devices are expected to reduce significantly, making them more accessible to a greater part of the population, including those who previously could not afford the high costs.

In addition to directly benefiting consumers, the reduction in import tax should contribute to the modernization of the Angolan economy, accelerating the digitalization of different sectors and offering better opportunities to access digital services such as e-commerce, distance learning, banking services and much more. The measure will also help reduce digital inequality, allowing more Angolans to access information and services online.

Another expected benefit is the incentive to attract foreign investment. With the reduction in costs, the Angolan market becomes more attractive to international technology companies, which could result in the strengthening of the country's digital infrastructure.

The policy change comes after years of high taxes on mobile devices, which made products more expensive and hampered the development of the telecommunications sector. The new policy is seen as a crucial step towards positioning Angola as a leader in digital innovation in the region.

Furthermore, this measure aligns with global digital inclusion efforts, contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (“SDGs”), especially with regard to education and equal access to technology.

With the reduction in import tax, Angola is not only encouraging the use of mobile devices, but also stimulating a digital transformation that can generate a long-term positive impact on the country's economy.

Source: https://www.jornaldeangola.ao/#/noticias/