The GSMA and six operators active in Africa have begun a project to try and connect 50 million people on the continent, by providing more affordable smartphones. The Handset Affordability Coalition will finalize designs for a $40 and a $30 smartphone, which the MNOs will bring to market. Data from the GSMA Intelligence service claims that around 3 billion people live within mobile broadband coverage but are not yet connected. The affordability of handsets is cited as the top reason for not using the internet. Looking forward, the GSMA points to a $3.5 trillion GDP benefit if this usage gap is closed between 2023 and 2030. This is the total amount for the period (not an annual amount), but besides…