Mobile Tech Fund Grants $250K for Clean Energy in Africa

Small tech companies solving environmental challenges in the world's poorest regions just got a major boost.

The GSMA, the global mobile industry association, launched a new Innovation Fund offering grants between $125,000 and $250,000 to enterprises using mobile technology to expand clean energy access in low and middle-income countries. The fund targets companies operating in Africa, Central and South America, and South and Southeast Asia.

The grants will support commercially viable solutions that make renewable energy more accessible while improving digital connectivity. Companies working on smart energy meters, solar power systems, refurbished phone programs, and electronic waste recycling can apply.

Beyond just funding, selected companies receive 15 to 18 months of technical support, connections to mobile network operators and investors, and visibility through GSMA's global platforms. The program aims to prove that mobile technology can accelerate environmental progress while expanding economic opportunity in emerging markets.

One major focus is keeping phones working longer. The fund prioritizes circular economy approaches like device repair, refurbishment, and reuse programs that reduce electronic waste while making smartphones more affordable for underserved communities.

Companies with up to 250 employees can apply if they already have active users and commercial revenue. They must contribute at least 25 percent matching funds and use mobile or digital technology as a core part of their solution.

The Ripple Effect

This initiative does more than fund individual companies. It builds evidence for what clean energy and circular economy models actually work in developing markets, information that can shape policy and industry standards worldwide.

The mobile industry serves billions of people in emerging economies, and this fund acknowledges that role comes with environmental responsibility. By supporting local innovators who understand their communities' needs, the program creates sustainable solutions designed for real-world challenges rather than imposed from outside.

The fund also addresses two critical problems at once: environmental sustainability and digital inclusion. Refurbished devices and efficient energy systems make connectivity more affordable for people who need it most, while reducing the carbon footprint of the mobile ecosystem.

Applications opened in February 2026 and close April 6, giving innovative companies across three continents a narrow window to secure funding that could transform their impact. For entrepreneurs already working to solve these problems with limited resources, this support could be the difference between staying small and scaling up.

The mobile industry is betting that good business and good environmental stewardship can go hand in hand, especially in places where both connectivity and clean energy remain out of reach for millions.