The new funding round will support digital solutions that expand access to clean energy, circularity, digital inclusion and climate action in low- and middle-income countries.
February 23, 2026, London: The GSMA today announced the global launch of a new Innovation Fund offering grants from £100,000 to £200,000 Support small and growing businesses that use mobile and digital technologies to accelerate the green transition in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
He GSMA Innovation Fund for the Green Mobile Transition (the Innovation Fund), an initiative funded by the GSMA and supported by its members, builds on the GSMA's commitment to promoting inclusive and sustainable connectivity, and the mobile industry's ambition to achieve net zero emissions.
The Innovation Fund will support commercially viable innovations that expand access to clean energy and promote circularity in mobile devices (including renewable energy solutions, smart metering, renewal models and responsible e-waste management) to promote digital inclusion and industry climate action. The initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and recognizes the fundamental role of mobile technology in enabling inclusive and sustainable development.
Aimed at companies operating in Africa, Central and South Americaand South and Southeast AsiaThe Innovation Fund will focus on solutions that strengthen digital inclusion, affordability and socioeconomic empowerment, while generating environmental impact.
Philippe Bellordre, Acting Director of Mobile for Development, GSMAsaying: “Through this Innovation Fund, we are investing directly in companies that use mobile and digital technology to promote digital inclusion and enable a transition to clean energy, while scaling practical, circular solutions that extend the life of mobile devices and make connectivity more affordable for underserved communities.”
Boost circularity and improve mobile phone affordability
Another core focus of the Innovation Fund is to extend the life of mobile devices through circular economy approaches, including repair, refurbishment and reuse, reducing e-waste while increasing access to affordable phones for underserved populations.
The Innovation Fund will support solutions such as return and exchange schemes, leasing models, refurbished device markets, traceability tools and responsible e-waste collection and recycling. By keeping devices in circulation longer, these initiatives reduce environmental impact while reducing the cost of ownership and expanding connectivity for low-income communities.
Building evidence for industry climate action
Beyond supporting individual companies, the Innovation Fund is designed to generate insights and practical lessons that contribute to the mobile industry's broader climate and ESG priorities. This includes evidence that supports enabling environments for clean energy and circular economy solutions, informs policy debates and helps scale sustainable business models in emerging markets.
Who is the Innovation Fund for:
The Innovation Fund is open to small and growing for-profit businesses with up to 250 employees that:
- Operating in Low- and middle-income countries in Africa, Central and South America, or South and Southeast Asia
- Wearing mobile or digital technology as a central part of your solution
- demonstrating business revenue and active users
- Able to contribute at least 25% counterpart financing
What the Innovation Fund contributes:
Selected companies will receive:
- Grants from £100,000 to £200,000 on 15-18 months
- Support to connect with investors and create partnerships with mobile network operators
- Monitoring, evaluation and learning support.
- Visibility through GSMA platforms, publications and industry engagement
Looking ahead:
Applications to GSMA Innovation Fund for the Green Mobile Transition now they are open. The application window will run from February to May 2026with a submission deadline of April 6, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (UK time).
Eligible businesses are encouraged to apply and help demonstrate how mobile and digital technologies can accelerate the green transition while promoting digital inclusion and economic opportunities in low- and middle-income countries.
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About the GSMA
The GSMA is a global organization that unifies the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop and deliver critical innovation for positive business environments and social change. Our vision is to unlock the full power of connectivity so that people, industry and society thrive. Representing mobile operators and organizations across the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries, the GSMA offers its members three broad pillars: connectivity for good, industry services and solutions, and outreach. This activity includes advancing policy, addressing today's biggest societal challenges, supporting the technology and interoperability that make mobile devices work, and providing the world's largest platform to convene the mobile ecosystem at the MWC and M360 series of events.
We invite you to learn more at gsma.com
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