Mauritania has lowered import taxes on mobile phones while introducing a new digital customs control system, a move aimed at boosting government revenues but raising questions about access and inclusion for users.
The reform, part of the 2026 budget law, was announced in a government communiqué on March 7. Customs duties on smartphones have been reduced from 32.75 percent to 30 percent, while so-called utility phones are now taxed at 12 percent. In parallel, authorities have launched an online platform allowing users and vendors to complete customs clearance digitally, without visiting physical offices.
Under the new system, phone users must register their device within 15 days or risk having their mobile line suspended. Each device is tracked via its unique IMEI code, which can be entered into a dedicated application to check customs status. If a phone is found to be uncleared, the owner receives a warning SMS and has two weeks to complete the process before network access is blocked.
The move reflects the government’s dual objective: lowering the cost of phones to encourage legal imports while strengthening oversight of devices on national networks. Officials say the measures aim to capture lost revenue from smuggled or undeclared phones and modernize customs procedures.
Mobile connectivity is widespread in Mauritania. According to DataReportal’s Digital 2026 report, the country had 6.37 million active mobile connections at the end of 2025, representing roughly 119 percent of the population. Around two million people access the internet, mainly through mobile devices, making smartphones a critical tool for communication, financial services, education, and administrative transactions.
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Despite the tax reduction, affordability remains an issue. Market observers note that the price of even basic smartphones can be prohibitive for low-income households. The World Bank reports that across sub-Saharan Africa, 77 percent of adults who do not own a mobile phone cite high prices as the main barrier. In some cases, an entry-level smartphone can cost up to 73 percent of the average monthly income of the poorest households.
Some traders and users have expressed concern that the 15-day clearance deadline could disrupt connectivity and economic activity. Mobile phones have become essential not only for communication but also for mobile banking and access to public services. Retailers warn that the complexity of digital clearance procedures and the risk of line suspension could deter sales and reduce the uptake of mobile services.
The government maintains that the system is designed to be user-friendly. By moving customs clearance online, officials hope to reduce administrative burdens and make compliance simpler. They argue that digitization will also provide real-time monitoring of devices on national networks, improving security and revenue collection.
However, the reform highlights the tension between regulation and inclusion. Ensuring that citizens can maintain uninterrupted access to mobile services is crucial in a country where digital infrastructure remains unevenly distributed and a significant portion of the population is only partially online. Failure to implement the system smoothly could undermine efforts to expand digital access and financial inclusion.
Analysts say Mauritania’s approach reflects broader trends across Africa, where governments seek to balance revenue generation with the need to maintain affordable, widespread connectivity. Countries introducing stricter device registration and import monitoring often face pushback if systems are perceived as overly complex or punitive.
The coming months will test the government’s ability to enforce the new rules while keeping the population connected. Success will depend on the clarity of guidance to users, the ease of digital procedures, and the responsiveness of operators and customs authorities in resolving issues.
For Mauritania, the challenge is clear: modernize the mobile phone market and capture revenue without excluding parts of a population increasingly reliant on digital tools for daily life.
