The GSMA has launched the Innovation Fund for Green Transition for Mobile, targeting small and growing enterprises across Africa, Central and South America, and South and Southeast Asia. The fund aims to address the dual challenge of advancing digital inclusion while promoting the clean energy transition, alongside exploring innovative solutions for refurbished handsets. By integrating energy access with mobile connectivity, the initiative seeks to amplify development impact and support sustainable, inclusive growth. Applications for the fund are open until 6 April 2026, with full details provided in the fund’s Terms and Conditions.
Limited and unreliable electricity remains a critical barrier for mobile access in many regions. For individuals, inconsistent energy access limits participation in economic activities like agricultural processing, refrigeration, small-scale manufacturing, e-mobility, and digital services. Mobile operators similarly face operational constraints due to unreliable electricity, often relying on costly and carbon-intensive diesel generators. A GSMA survey highlighted that frequent outages, high energy costs, and lack of grid access are major challenges for the industry, with 80% of mobile towers in off-grid and weak-grid areas in Africa still powered by diesel as of 2020.
The fund also emphasizes circular economy solutions within the mobile sector, including refurbished phones and repair services, which are projected to exceed $150 billion globally by 2027. Consumer demand for longer-lasting and repairable devices is growing, as highlighted by a GSMA survey of over 13,000 smartphone users. Refurbished devices provide significant cost savings and reduce environmental impacts by 80–90% compared with new handsets. These approaches align with GSMA initiatives like the Handset Affordability Coalition, which seeks to expand mobile broadband usage among populations currently without access.
Eligible applicants include for-profit small and growing enterprises that focus on one or both of the fund’s priority areas. The first focus is enabling digital inclusion and clean energy access, supporting business models that bridge energy gaps and enhance access to mobile networks and devices. Solutions may include mini-grids, smart metering, energy efficiency programs, or other renewable energy models. The second focus is device circularity, promoting repair, refurbishment, and the reduction of emissions along the handset value chain to improve affordability and extend device lifespans.
The fund particularly encourages applications from enterprises that are female-founded or led, locally driven, or demonstrate strong partnerships with mobile network operators (MNOs). Preference will be given to organizations with existing MNO collaborations and those committed to supporting and upskilling local staff.
Successful applicants will receive grant funding between £100,000 and £200,000, along with a comprehensive support package. This includes access to learning bootcamps, technical assistance, connections with investors and ecosystem partners, and opportunities to gain visibility through GSMA publications and events. Through this fund, GSMA aims to support enterprises that can advance both digital inclusion and sustainable climate action, driving innovation in the mobile sector globally.
