GSMA Foundation, U.K. partner on mobile technology initiative

Mobile operators organization GSMA Foundation and government officials from the United Kingdom have come together to make mobile technology more accessible to underserved areas, including Ghana.

The initiative will be funded by the U.K.'s Department for International Development (DFID). Technologies to be included in the program are those that can enhance natural disaster response as well as assist individuals with finding financial services, clean water and sustainable energy.

Additionally, the program will help advance programs to combat poverty, assist job seekers, aid economic and infrastructure growth and make clean energy and water more accessible.

“Over the last decade the UK has been at the forefront of bringing the battle against extreme poverty into the digital era," U.K. International Development Minister Nick Hurd said. "With more people in developing countries using mobiles than ever before, this partnership with the GSMA and its members will increase access to banking services, especially for women, bring access to energy to many for the first time and even vital health information."

Mats Granryd, GSMA's director general, agreed.

“Through our Mobile for Development team, the GSMA has a proven track record in delivering life-enhancing mobile solutions at scale, in critical areas such as mobile money, health and nutrition, agriculture, utilities and many others,” Granryd said. “We welcome the opportunity to partner with DFID to bring the power of mobile to our shared objectives of reaching the underserved and delivering on the Global Goals.”

Over the past three years, DFID and the GSMA have partnered on programs to create mobile-based solutions in many developing African countries, including Uganda, Ghana and Rwanda.