Digital Inclusion Evidence Gap Map

This evidence gap map (EGM) presents an interactive reflection of the literature on the livelihood benefits of mobile internet access. Mobile for Development (M4D) was created to demonstrate the positive social, economic and climate impact of mobile technology in low- and middle-income countries. This EGM helps practitioners and policymakers reflect on the ways that we can see this has been done, and the gaps that remain in the research base about mobile technology’s contribution to development. Emerging from a systematic literature review that screened over 1,000 pieces of peer reviewed research, the final EGM included 113 studies across Sub Saharan Africa and South Asia. These papers were categorised according to areas along the top of the map, and the circle indicates how many papers have been published on each topic. The map shows that strong evidence exists on the economic benefits of mobile internet (e.g., mobile money, remittances, income generation) and on cultural and gender norms, especially the role of digital skills and education.

Gaps in the evidence base include:

• Safety and security: Little research has been done to understand the prevalence and implications of scams, cyber-crime and device theft, despite these being primary barriers preventing internet use.
• Entertainment and fun, such as sports and gaming: Despite the fact that this is one of the most important uses of mobile internet across the global south, there is relatively little research focussing on the entertainment value of mobile internet.
• Human rights: The EGM identified no studies taking a human rights lens to mobile internet access. This highlights the relatively emergent framing of internet access in the global south from a privilege, to a tool people expect to access to organise their lives and livelihoods.

As the GSMA contributes to a growing evidence base on the importance of mobile internet in promoting development, we hope this EGM will allow policymakers, MNOs, and researchers to come together and set priorities that will allow for the most effective programming.