In May 2021, we launched the GSMA Innovation Fund for Digital Urban Services with support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The objective of the fund is to support organisations that provide essential urban services and leverage digital innovations and partnerships to make these services accessible, reliable, sustainable and affordable.

The Innovation Fund covers four key utilities sectors: Energy, plastic and waste management, sanitation and water. Successful organisations were awarded between £100,000 and £250,000 in grant funding, alongside dedicated support on partnership facilitation with mobile operators and technical assistance. We received 335 applications from 43 countries across Africa, South and Southeast Asia. This catalogue profiles the nine organisations accepted into the round cohort, as well as insights from an analysis of all pitches received.