Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – A new draft report by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) reveals that mobile data prices in The Gambia remain among the highest in West Africa, even after the introduction of a new floor price of GMD 50 ($0.70) per gigabyte (GB).
The report highlights key disparities among operators, with Africell bearing the highest data cost per GB and Comium recording the lowest, largely due to temporary market dynamics.
According to the study, Africell’s data cost averages GMD 92 per GB before tax, compared to GMD 37 for Comium and GMD 73 for Qcell.
Analysts attribute Africell’s higher costs to lower data consumption among its customers, while Comium’s low costs are linked to a price war and aggressive promotional campaigns that inflated traffic volumes.
However, the report cautions that Comium’s low price structure is “artificial” and unsustainable as a regulatory benchmark.
To address disparities and prevent unsustainable underpricing, PURA’s consultants recommend a regulated floor price of GMD 50 per GB, the minimum rate any operator can charge.
This policy, they argue, ensures that operators do not sell below cost while encouraging competition and consumer protection.
The Dual-Tier Tariff Approach
The report proposes a dual-tier tariff system to make data more affordable and better aligned with consumer needs. Under this structure, Tier 1 applies to data bundles below GMD 200 ($10), which must respect the floor price of GMD 50 per GB.
Tier 2, meant for larger bundles priced above that threshold, allows a 10% discount, bringing the effective floor price down to GMD 45 per GB.
This dual-tier approach, the report notes, offers “a practical option” that incentivizes higher data usage by reducing costs for bulk buyers. For ordinary consumers, it also improves the validity period of bundles, at least three days for small bundles and up to 30 days for large ones, helping users get full value from their purchases.
High Data Burden on Gambians
A benchmark analysis comparing the new floor price with data rates across West Africa shows that the cost borne by Gambians remains among the highest in the region when adjusted for income levels.
The report warns that such high costs could stifle digital inclusion and create “social tensions” if not mitigated by future reductions.
Experts argue that while the new regulated tariff provides stability for operators, further price cuts are essential to stimulate demand and make internet access more equitable.
The study emphasizes that a decline in data prices tends to generate a “virtuous cycle,” where higher usage lowers unit costs, benefiting both consumers and service providers.
The Case for Lower Data Costs
The report’s findings point to a broader challenge in The Gambia’s telecommunications market: balancing profitability for operators with affordability for consumers.
It urges PURA to ensure that regulatory reforms—such as the proposed tariff model—drive investment while easing the financial burden on citizens.
By promoting fair pricing and consumer-focused validity rules, the new policy aims to foster a more inclusive digital economy. Yet, as the report concludes, sustained efforts to reduce mobile data costs remain essential if The Gambia is to bridge its digital divide and align with regional standards.
