Cameroon postpones controversial phone tax

By Killian Ngala

President Paul Biya has ordered Cameroon’s Prime Minister Joseph Ngute to postpone the implementation of a controversial phone tax and instead propose a better way of collecting it.

The tax that should have gone into effect on 15 October requires phone buyers to pay a 33% tax, if the importer never paid customs dues.

The tax was supposed to be collected from phone users through digital means. But in a note to the prime minister, the secretary general at the presidency - Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh - has underscored the need to put it on hold.

The note requires Mr Ngute to come up with more appropriate means of collecting the tax.

Critics said it was inappropriate to allow importers to evade taxes, and instead heap the burden on end users.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: AFP