In a major move that could reshape the future of sustainable technology across developing economies, the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) has officially launched a worldwide Innovation Fund for Green Transition for Mobile. This new initiative is designed to back small and growing enterprises that are using mobile and digital technologies to tackle climate challenges and improve access to essential services in low- and middle-income countries, according to GSMA.
The announcement, made on 23 February 2026, underscores GSMA’s ongoing commitment to supporting connectivity that is not only inclusive and accessible but also environmentally responsible. With the mobile industry seeking ways to lessen its carbon footprint while expanding its reach, this fund arrives at a pivotal moment.
Organisations across Africa, Central and South America, and South and Southeast Asia are now invited to apply for grants ranging from £100,000 to £200,000. This funding is meant to support solutions that increase clean energy access, encourage digital inclusion, and foster circular economies in the digital ecosystem.
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Transforming Mobile Tech into Climate Action Tools
At the heart of the Innovation Fund is a clear goal: to accelerate the green transition through practical digital innovations that address real challenges. GSMA is looking beyond purely technical solutions and placing emphasis on ideas that can scale commercially while delivering environmental and social impact.
Patrick Philippe Bellordre, Acting Head of Mobile for Development at GSMA, highlighted the dual purpose of the programme. He noted that the fund is not just about supporting tech startups but about ensuring that digital inclusion goes hand in hand with climate action. According to him, this fund will help projects that use mobile platforms to deliver cleaner energy solutions, reduce electronic waste and help underserved communities gain better access to digital tools.
One of the standout aims of the fund is to extend the lifespan of mobile devices. In many developing countries, affordable handsets can be hard to come by, and electronic waste continues to grow as more people use mobile technologies. The Innovation Fund prioritises solutions that embed circular economy principles such as repair, refurbishment and reuse, helping to reduce waste while enabling wider access to connectivity.
This means enterprises can present business models that include take-back schemes, device leasing systems, refurbished device marketplaces, or even smarter tracing tools that help consumers and businesses keep devices in use for longer. Not only does this reduce the environmental strain associated with e-waste, but it also helps boost economic opportunities for local communities.
Who Can Apply and What They Stand to Gain
The GSMA Innovation Fund is open to for-profit small and growing enterprises with up to 250 employees. Eligible organisations must operate within the specified emerging market regions and use mobile or digital technology as a major part of their solution. In addition, these enterprises must show real commercial traction, active users and the ability to contribute at least 25 per cent matching funding to qualify.
Once selected, businesses can benefit from more than just financial backing. The programme includes technical support aimed at strengthening the capacity of enterprises to grow, improve their operations and build relationships with potential investors. Participants will also have opportunities to connect with mobile network operators and gain visibility through industry platforms and engagements.
These additional supports are important because they help startups and small businesses move beyond early-stage ideas to sustainable, impactful solutions that can grow with industry support. The GSMA hopes that this approach will not only benefit individual entrepreneurs but also contribute to wider climate strategies and economic growth in the regions the fund serves.
The funding window opened in February 2026 and will run through 6 April 2026, giving interested enterprises time to prepare their proposals. Winners of the grants will receive financial support over a period of 15 to 18 months, enough time to implement and expand their solutions with measurable results.
What This Means for Emerging Markets and Beyond
For many emerging markets, the rise of mobile technology has already transformed the way people access banking, education, health information and even government services. But this new initiative from GSMA adds a powerful environmental dimension to those digital gains.
Across regions where access to electricity can be inconsistent or costly, technologies that support clean energy access are particularly compelling. This includes digital tools and mobile apps that help households or small businesses track energy usage, manage solar power systems, or even connect with energy providers in real time. Funding from GSMA can help bring these innovations from pilot phase to real-world adoption.
Similarly, supporting digital inclusion is about more than putting a phone in someone’s hand. It involves making that phone useful for education, business, health and community participation. And by tying digital inclusion to sustainability, the fund seeks to ensure that growth in digital access also supports broader economic and environmental goals.
In many African countries, for example, where mobile penetration has outpaced traditional internet infrastructure, innovative ideas that use mobile platforms to improve lives can make a significant difference. Clean energy access, affordable connectivity and schemes that keep devices in use longer can help bridge technology gaps while reducing environmental pressures at the same time.
While the focus of the fund is on specific regions, the insights and results that emerge from funded projects could influence how the mobile industry globally approaches sustainability. By learning what works in diverse contexts, GSMA hopes to generate evidence that informs wider climate strategies and policies that benefit more markets over time.
This evidence-based approach is particularly relevant as governments, private sectors and development institutions increasingly seek scalable solutions that can be adopted by other economies. The combination of technology, sustainability and inclusive growth is now seen as a core component of future economic planning.
Growing Momentum for Sustainable Innovation
The GSMA Innovation Fund for Green Transition for Mobile represents a broader shift within the tech world. Organisations today are expected not only to innovate but to innovate responsibly. This includes delivering solutions that help address climate challenges while improving social outcomes.
Mobile technology, in particular, is uniquely positioned to support this cause. It is one of the most widespread and accessible platforms across emerging markets, and its potential to connect people, information and services is unmatched. With strategic funding and the right partnerships, mobile tech can become a powerful engine for change.
For entrepreneurs and innovators in Africa and other regions covered by this fund, this could be a turning point. Access to capital has long been a barrier for startups addressing sustainability challenges. With new funding avenues such as this, promising solutions now have a clearer path from concept to impact.
More broadly, this initiative positions the mobile industry as a key player in global climate action. As sustainable development goals become ever more central to national and international agendas, partnerships that bring together government, industry and grassroots innovators will be vital. This fund is one such example of how that collaboration can take shape in practical, measurable ways.
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