GSMA warned 810 million women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) still do not use mobile internet, flagging slow progress in closing the digital gender gap.

In its latest Mobile Gender Gap Report 2026, the industry association found that in comparison, 595 million men in the same markets are not connected to mobile internet. Indeed, women in LMICs were 12% less likely than men to use mobile internet, leaving 200 million fewer women online.

Smartphone ownership remains a major barrier, as women in LMICs are 13% less likely than men to own a smartphone, equivalent to around 210 million fewer female owners.

The report found awareness of mobile internet is high and almost equal among men and women, but adoption continues to be held back by handset affordability, literacy and digital skills gaps. Even after women are connected, usage remains restricted due to safety and security concerns, data affordability and poor connectivity.

GSMA explained women are disproportionately affected due to social norms and structural inequalities, including lower education and income.

The report found the divide most acute in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, where mobile internet adoption stands at 26% and 25% respectively. The regions together also account for more than two-thirds of the 810 million unconnected women.

Women in rural areas continue to face a sharper divide, with the report stating the gender gap is typically two to three times wider outside urban areas. The disparity is particularly pronounced in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.

Looking ahead, the industry association estimated closing the mobile internet adoption gap in LMICs between 2023 and 2030 could add $1.3 trillion to GDP. Meanwhile, narrowing the wider mobile ownership and usage gap could generate $230 billion in additional revenue for the mobile industry.

It called for coordinated action on handset and data affordability, digital skills, safety, services designed for women and wider structural inequalities.

Claire Sibthorpe, head of digital inclusion at GSMA, said “much more is needed to address the persistent and significant gender gaps in mobile internet adoption and use”. She warned AI and other emerging technologies are “creating greater digital divides and inequities”, making digital inclusion increasingly urgent.

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MTN Group Fintech signed a deal with Ant International to collaborate on a so-called super-app platform covering a range of lifestyle and commerce services based around the operator’s mobile money platform.

The MTN unit hailed the agreement with the financial technology specialist as a major step in its attempts to build a more resilient and future-ready digital ecosystem across its markets.

Nigeria will be first country to see the results of the pact with a “super-app” platform set to be launched there in Q3 intended to deepen digital inclusion and provide the basis for a range of mobile money-linked services.

It is expected to significantly enhance MTN customers’ mobile money experience in Nigeria, delivering faster transactions, improving reliability, and providing greater integration with other financial and commerce services.

The operator unit explained using Ant’s technology provides the means for it to evolve its product by means including fraud prevention measures and “richer engagement features for consumers and merchants”.

MTN Group president and CEO Ralph Mupita (pictured) said the “partnership aligns” with the company’s “ambition of leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress by leveraging scale, technology and strong global partnerships”.

He added it aims to deliver a “more seamless, secure and intuitive MoMo platform that advances digital inclusion and expands economic participation”.

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Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa (pictured) believes Africa is no longer playing catch-up in global technologies, telling attendees of a key business conference in Kenya the continent is now holding its own in developing fresh business models and tapping emerging digitalisation trends.

In a string of posts on a popular micro-blogging site, the operator reported Ndegwa told the Academy of International Business (AIB) Conference nations are increasingly looking to Africa for fresh approaches to delivering growth and innovation.

Africa is now “co-creating new models” and its views are ever-more sought after, Ndegwa said.

The Safaricom boss noted Africa was not immune to global challenges, but argued “turbulence can also drive transformation”.

He pointed to the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic as an example, explaining the operator group “had to navigate regulatory changes, currency pressure”, greater competition and cybersecurity challenges.

The challenges fuelled a shift from “telco to techco” as Safaricom recognised “adaptability is now a competitive advantage”.

He noted global uncertainties continue today due to “geopolitical tension, economic volatility” and various disruptive technology developments including AI, meaning the ability to swiftly adjust is still essential.

Ndegwa said the m-Pesa mobile money platform “remains the clearest example of African innovation” being used to address a local problem by looking to the bigger picture of what the system is for rather than focusing solely on technology.

He argued the platform shows what can be achieved in driving digital transformation when initiatives are backed by the right regulations and laws, along with “strong public-private collaborations”.

The three-day AIB event concluded today (29 May).

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