Inclusion Economics' Work in Digital

Mobile technology has rapidly reshaped society and the economy, yet not all benefit equally: 785 million women in low- and middle-income countries are still not accessing the mobile internet, and 60% of these women live in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. In India and Kenya women are 31% and 29% less likely, respectively, to own a smartphone — the main access point to the digital world across low and middle income countries. (GSMA, 2024). To fully leverage the power of mobile, countries will need to close their digital gender gaps. Since 2017, Inclusion Economicsaffiliated researchers have engaged with policymakers, practitioners, and citizens to understand the economic, norms-based, and skill-related barriers that constrain women’s digital inclusion, and to test solutions to close these gaps. 

Key Lessons

• Improving access and affordability alone may not close digital gender gaps over the long run
• Closing digital literacy and access gaps can improve women's mobile access and well-being
• Access to phone can help women benefit in other areas, but may not drive additional phone engagement