The
GSMA, in collaboration with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development
Office (FCDO), has launched the GSMA Innovation Fund for Impactful AI, a
groundbreaking initiative designed to support small and growing enterprises in
low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) across Africa, South Asia, Southeast
Asia, and the Pacific. This initiative aims to bridge the digital divide by
ensuring that LMICs harness artificial intelligence and emerging technologies
to drive inclusive and sustainable development. With grants of up to £250,000,
the fund seeks to empower enterprises developing AI-driven solutions that
address critical socio-economic and environmental challenges, ensuring that the
benefits of technological advancement reach communities that need them the
most.
The GSMA
recognizes the vast potential of AI and emerging technologies to transform key
sectors such as healthcare, education, financial services, and climate
resilience. However, their adoption in LMICs remains limited due to funding
constraints, lack of infrastructure, and minimal ecosystem support. The GSMA
Innovation Fund for Impactful AI seeks to change this narrative by providing
financial resources and tailored venture-building support to help enterprises
refine and scale their solutions. Beyond funding, the initiative will
facilitate partnerships between startups and mobile network operators,
investors, and industry stakeholders, ensuring that these innovations have a
clear pathway to sustainability and large-scale impact. Beneficiaries will also
gain access to capacity-building programs, bootcamps, and global events such as
MWC, enabling them to enhance their technical expertise, attract further
investment, and expand their reach.
AI and
mobile big data are rapidly transforming industries worldwide, yet LMICs face
unique challenges in leveraging these technologies for development. The GSMA
Innovation Fund is committed to de-risking innovation by investing in
enterprises that design AI-powered solutions to benefit vulnerable and
underserved populations. The initiative will support projects that integrate
predictive and generative AI, IoT, blockchain, and other emerging technologies
to create impactful solutions. By strengthening local ecosystems, the fund will
help these innovations become more resilient, scalable, and tailored to
regional needs. Additionally, the initiative prioritizes enterprises led by
women and those actively addressing gender inequities, fostering a more inclusive
and diverse tech ecosystem in LMICs.
Applications
for the fund opened on January 29, 2025, and will remain open until March 19,
2025, at 23:59 GMT. Eligible enterprises are encouraged to apply through the
GSMA Innovation Fund portal, where they can access detailed criteria and
application guidelines. Max Cuvellier Giacomelli, Head of Mobile for
Development at GSMA, emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating
that AI and emerging technologies hold immense potential to tackle global
challenges, but much of their development has focused on advanced markets,
leaving a gap in solutions tailored for LMICs. He highlighted that the fund is
a step towards bridging this gap by empowering enterprises in these regions to
harness AI for transformative, inclusive, and sustainable development where it
is needed most.
By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
