GSMA Innovation Fund for Green Transition for Mobile 2026: £100,000–£200,000 Grants for Digital Inclusion, Clean Energy, and Device Circularity

The GSMA Innovation Fund for Green Transition for Mobile 2026 is now open, offering grant funding of £100,000 to £200,000 to small and growing enterprises working to advance digital inclusion, clean energy access, and sustainable mobile innovation. The fund supports projects across Africa, Central and South America, and South and Southeast Asia, focusing on solutions that combine climate action with mobile-enabled development.

Key Details at a Glance

• Grant amount: £100,000–£200,000 per selected organisation

• Application deadline: 6 April 2026 (23:59 GMT)

• Eligible applicants: For-profit small and growing enterprises

• Project focus: Digital inclusion, clean energy access, and device circularity

• Regions covered: Africa, Central and South America, South and Southeast Asia

• Additional support: Technical assistance, bootcamps, investor connections, and visibility through GSMA platforms

• Mandatory matching contribution: Minimum 25% of requested grant amount

Overview of the GSMA Innovation Fund for Green Transition for Mobile

The GSMA Innovation Fund for Green Transition for Mobile aims to address two connected global challenges:

• Limited access to reliable electricity, which restricts digital inclusion and economic participation

• Environmental and affordability challenges linked to mobile devices and network operations

The fund promotes a “twin transition” approach, recognising that digital inclusion and clean energy access must progress together to achieve sustainable development outcomes.

By supporting enterprises that leverage mobile and digital technologies, including AI, the fund seeks to expand access to mobile connectivity while reducing emissions and improving affordability.

Why This Fund Matters

Despite significant progress in mobile coverage worldwide, millions of people remain excluded from mobile internet due to energy access barriers and device affordability challenges.

Key issues include:

• Unreliable electricity limiting the ability to charge devices and use digital services

• High energy costs increasing operational pressure on mobile operators

• Continued reliance on diesel-powered infrastructure in off-grid areas

• Limited access to affordable smartphones for low-income users

The fund supports innovative business models that help overcome these barriers while driving climate-positive outcomes.

Device Circularity and Handset Affordability

A major priority of the fund is supporting circular economy solutions within the mobile ecosystem. Circular approaches reduce environmental impact and help make devices more affordable.

Examples of circular solutions include:

• Repair and refurbishment services

• Trade-in and buy-back programmes

• Refurbished handset marketplaces

• Device leasing or device-as-a-service models

• Responsible e-waste collection and recycling

Extending device lifespan helps reduce emissions associated with manufacturing while increasing access to lower-cost handsets.

Key Focus Areas

Applicants must operate in at least one of the following areas.

1. Enabling Digital Inclusion and Clean Energy Access

The fund supports solutions that improve reliable energy access and strengthen mobile connectivity. Examples include:

• Small-scale mini-grid or mesh-grid models

• Renewable energy solutions supporting telecom infrastructure

• Smart metering and energy management systems

• Energy efficiency solutions

• Asset financing models enabling productive energy use

2. Increasing Device Circularity and Reducing Value Chain Emissions

The fund supports business models that extend device lifespans and improve handset affordability, including:

• Device repair services

• Trade-in and upgrade models

• Refurbished device sales platforms

• Leasing and circular ownership models

• Responsible recycling and e-waste solutions

Preferred Applicant Profiles

The fund particularly encourages applications from:

• Female-founded or female-led organisations

• Organisations with strong representation of women at all levels

• Locally led organisations or those with strong local implementation presence

• Enterprises with a strong value proposition for partnership with mobile network operators (MNOs)

• Organisations already collaborating with MNOs or demonstrating clear partnership potential

Funding and Support Package

Successful applicants will receive:

Grant Funding

• £100,000 to £200,000 per project

Additional Non-Financial Support

• Learning bootcamps and peer exchange

• Technical assistance and advisory support

• Connections with investors and ecosystem stakeholders

• Increased visibility through GSMA events and publications

Projects typically run for approximately 15–18 months.

Matching Contribution Requirement

Applicants must provide a matching contribution equal to at least 25 percent of the requested grant amount.

Matching contributions can include:

• Cash funding from company reserves, investors, or partners

• In-kind contributions such as software, facilities, or equipment (cannot fully satisfy the requirement)

This requirement demonstrates commitment and shared risk in project delivery.

Eligible Countries (Full List)

Projects must be implemented in eligible countries listed below. Some countries marked with * may require additional due diligence. Countries marked with ** require at least three years of continuous operations.

Africa

Algeria*, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso*, Burundi*, Cabo Verde, Cameroon*, Comoros, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo**, Djibouti, Egypt*, Eswatini, Ethiopia*, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea*, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia*, Madagascar*, Malawi, Mauritania*, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique*, Namibia, Niger*, Nigeria*, Republic of Congo (Brazzaville), Rwanda, Saint Helena, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia.

Central and South America

Argentina, Belize, Bolivia*, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname.

South and Southeast Asia

Bangladesh*, Bhutan, Cambodia*, India, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan*, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam.

Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants include for-profit private sector small and growing enterprises that:

• Use mobile or digital technologies to address development challenges

• Demonstrate commercial revenue or a credible pathway to revenue generation

• Show innovation, scalability, and measurable impact

• Have the capacity to implement projects within the proposed timeframe

• Are willing to undergo organisational due diligence

Applications must be submitted in English.

Apply now

What Makes a Strong Application

Competitive proposals typically:

• Clearly align with the fund’s objectives

• Demonstrate measurable impact for underserved populations

• Show understanding of local context and market dynamics

• Present a realistic scaling strategy

• Show commercial sustainability potential

• Demonstrate innovation beyond existing market solutions

• Include a clear value proposition for MNO collaboration

Projects that are idea-stage, untested, or lacking scalability are unlikely to be competitive.

Application Process and Timeline

The application process includes:

• Registration on the grant platform

• Completion of an eligibility form

• Submission of the full application questionnaire

• Evaluation and recommendation stages

• Due diligence and project appraisal

• Final selection and contracting

The full process can take approximately ten months from application to contracting.

Applications close on 6 April 23:59 GMT. 

For more information:

1) Read the Terms and Conditions

2) Check out the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

3) Read the launch blog

4) Save the date for our Q&A sessions on Wednesday, 11 March or Wednesday 18 March, more details to follow.

The GSMA Innovation Fund for Green Transition for Mobile offers a significant opportunity for enterprises building scalable solutions that connect digital inclusion with climate action. With grants of up to £200,000 plus technical and ecosystem support, the fund is designed to help innovative businesses expand access to reliable energy, affordable devices, and sustainable mobile services across emerging markets.

Enterprises working in clean energy, mobile-enabled solutions, circular economy services, or digital inclusion initiatives should consider applying early and ensuring their proposals clearly demonstrate impact, innovation, and scalability.