Mobile operators and the wider mobile ecosystem contributed about $810bn in tax revenues to governments globally in 2025, according to the GSMA’s The Mobile Economy 2026 report.
- +Mobile operators generate $810bn in global tax revenue – GSMA
The report revealed that taxes linked to the mobile industry represented approximately 3.5 per cent of total global tax collections.
The report revealed that taxes linked to the mobile industry represented approximately 3.5 per cent of total global tax collections.
The findings reveal the expanding role of the telecommunications industry beyond providing connectivity, as governments increasingly rely on mobile companies as major contributors to national revenue.
The report also highlights the telecommunications sector’s growing importance to public finances.
The revenue came from several areas, including corporate taxes, employment-related taxes, social security contributions, spectrum fees, and consumption taxes generated through mobile services.
Employment-related taxes and social security payments accounted for the largest share, contributing about $270 billion.
The report noted that mobile technology is also helping governments improve tax collection by supporting digital payments, increasing formal economic participation, and making it easier for individuals and businesses to access online tax services.
In Nigeria, the telecommunications sector has also become a significant source of government revenue.
The previous industry data showed that telecom companies paid trillions of naira in taxes, with the sector remaining one of the key contributors to the country’s digital economy.
The Federal Government is also expecting increased tax contributions from major telecom operators as part of efforts to strengthen non-oil revenue generation.
The GSMA projected that mobile technologies will continue to drive economic growth globally, with the sector expected to make a larger contribution to productivity and digital transformation in the coming years.
