GhIPSS has appointed a Chief Technology and Information Officer, and an Advisor for Emerging Technologies, moves that point to a deliberate reboot of the organisation’s strategic direction.

Clara Arthur Takes the Helm

Clara B. Arthur was recently appointed the Chief Executive Officer of GhIPSS, bringing over 20 years of experience spanning banking, fintech, and national payment infrastructure.

Her appointment returns a familiar hand to the organisation: she previously served as General Manager for Projects and Business Development at GhIPSS from 2015 to 2019, where she led the implementation of key national payment initiatives, including GhIPSS Instant Pay, the gh-link domestic card scheme EMV migration, Ghana’s mobile money interoperability platform, and the expansion of the e-zwich agent network.

In the intervening years, Arthur worked as a digital financial services consultant with global development institutions, including CGAP and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), advising on payment market infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and remittance-linked inclusion strategies.

She has also been recognised among the Top 100 Women in Fintech in Africa. She holds an MSc in Finance and Administration from the University of West London and a BA in Law and History from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

A New Technology Chief from Telecoms

Stepping into the newly defined role of Chief Technology and Information Officer is Emmanuel Kwabena Owusu, an accomplished technology executive with more than 17 years of leadership experience across telecoms, digital infrastructure, and mission-critical platforms in West Africa.

Owusu arrives at GhIPSS with a track record built largely in the telecoms sector. He played a key role in the post-merger integration of the Airtel and Tigo networks, as well as strategic infrastructure-sharing arrangements that expanded coverage while optimising capital expenditure.

His leadership also supported the GOVNET project, which delivered secure connectivity to more than 960 government institutions across Ghana.

He previously served as a Governing Board Member of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), where he contributed to policy oversight, infrastructure governance, and digital inclusion initiatives.

His career has spanned senior roles at AirtelTigo, Tigo, Vodafone, Huawei, and Ericsson. In 2025, he was recognised by the Africa Tech Festival as one of the 12 most influential figures shaping Africa’s telecoms industry.

Owusu holds an MBA from the University of Suffolk (UK) and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from KNUST, and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

Kwadwo Ntim Repositioned as Emerging Technologies Advisor

In a notable structural move, Kwadwo Ntim, one of GhIPSS’s founding figures who joined the organisation in 2007 since its inception, has been repositioned as Advisor to the Chief Executive for Emergent Technologies.

Ntim’s institutional knowledge runs deep. He has been responsible for the setup of GhIPSS’s Information Technology organisation and operations functions, and was instrumental in the delivery of foundational national payment systems including e-zwich, the Automated Clearing House, the gh-link national domestic card scheme, GhIPSS Instant Pay, Mobile Money Interoperability, the National Universal QR Platform, and the GhanaPay Mobile Platform.

He brings nearly 30 years of systems design, development, deployment, project leadership, and Governance, Risk and Compliance experience, having worked previously with Masai Computers Limited (IBM Partners), KPMG, and Société Générale Bank.

In his advisory role, he is expected to guide GhIPSS’s positioning on next-generation technologies and future payment infrastructure.

A Platform for the Next Chapter

The appointments collectively signal that GhIPSS, which operates Ghana’s national switch, instant payment rails, interbank clearing, and card infrastructure, is girding for a more technologically assertive phase.

With a CEO who combines consultancy depth and operational GhIPSS heritage, a CTIO who has managed large-scale national digital infrastructure, and a seasoned technologist advising on what comes next, the institution appears to be assembling leadership suited to both consolidating existing platforms and navigating the next wave of financial technology.

GhIPSS is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank of Ghana.

(Sources: GhIPSS Management Page)

The agreement will allow the mobile operator to link base stations to its core network without laying fibre in difficult terrain.

Instead, it will use satellite backhaul to provide speeds of up to 1 Gbps for download and 400 Mbps for upload.

Vodafone announced the partnership at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The company said it will begin connecting sites in Germany and other European countries this year. After that, it will extend the service across Africa through its subsidiary Vodacom.

The first African rollouts are expected in 2026 as Amazon Leo expands its satellite network.

Amazon Leo, formerly known as Project Kuiper, already has more than 200 satellites in orbit. The company recently launched 32 additional satellites in February 2026.

It also secured approval from the US Federal Communications Commission to deploy 4,500 more satellites, bringing its planned constellation to 7,700.

That scale places Amazon in direct competition with SpaceX’s Starlink, which has over 9,000 satellites in orbit and around 9 million subscribers worldwide.

Rural masts usually sit far from fibre routes and running cables across forests, mountains or flood-prone areas is expensive and slow. Satellite links can be installed faster and at lower cost. They also provide backup if fibre lines are cut or damaged by flooding.

Margherita Della Valle, Vodafone group chief executive, said: “Vodafone is looking to space to connect more mobile base stations to our core network, and strengthen resilience even in the most challenging environments. Amazon Leo’s new satellite constellation supports our ambition to give all Vodafone customers reliable and high-speed connectivity, wherever they are.”

Panos Panay, senior vice president of Amazon Devices & Services, said: “Connectivity shouldn’t depend on where you live. With Amazon Leo, we’re helping bring fast, reliable broadband to places traditional infrastructure can’t easily reach, from rural communities to critical emergency networks.

“Partnering with Vodafone and Vodacom is an important step toward connecting millions more people across Europe and Africa and expanding access to the digital services that power modern life.”

Shameel Joosub, chief executive of Vodacom Group, said: “At Vodacom, we are working every day to bring more people in Africa online and in reach of vital digital services. Partnering with Amazon Leo enables us to swiftly deploy mobile connectivity in isolated areas, allowing us to efficiently expand our reach to more customers throughout the African continent.”

Vodafone says the partnership with Amazon Leo will also support the expansion of advanced 5G services in Europe. In Africa, Vodacom links the project to its Vision 2030 targets.

The group aims to reach 260 million customers, grow its financial services business and raise smartphone penetration to 75% by 2030.

Separately, Vodafone is working with AST SpaceMobile on direct satellite-to-smartphone services. The company has not yet announced a launch date for that offering.

This approval paves the way for the mobile network operator to provide satellite-to-smartphone connectivity, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of the UK’s digital infrastructure.

This development makes VMO2 the first carrier in the United Kingdom to receive such a licence variation, signaling a shift toward Direct-to-Device (D2D) technology as a mainstream solution for nationwide connectivity.

Eliminating ‘Not-Spots’ through D2D Technology

The core of this regulatory breakthrough lies in D2D services, where satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) beam signals directly to standard, unmodified smartphones on the ground.

Traditionally, satellite communication required specialized, bulky hardware; however, this new framework allows existing handsets to bridge the gap in mobile coverage.

For the UK’s digital economy, this is a strategic move to eliminate mobile not-spots, those hard-to-reach rural areas, coastal regions, and mountainous terrains where traditional terrestrial masts are commercially or geographically unviable.

Regulatory Framework and Frequency Allocation

Ofcom’s approval is not just a localized win for VMO2 but a broader regulatory signal. The regulator has:

Updated Licence Parameters: Formally inserted specific frequencies into VMO2’s licence to permit D2D transmissions.

Enacted New Regulations: Finalized the legislative framework to support the rollout of these services, ensuring that standard consumer handsets can legally communicate with satellite constellations.

The new regulations are slated to come into full effect on February 25, 2026, providing a clear timeline for the commencement of commercial or pilot D2D operations.

Techeconomy Perspective on Why This Matters

From a digital economy standpoint, the move by Ofcom reflects a growing global trend where regulators are becoming more agile to accommodate satellite-cellular convergence.

By allowing VMO2 to utilize its spectrum in space, the UK is positioning itself at the forefront of the Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) revolution.

For businesses and consumers, this means always-on connectivity. In a world where digital inclusion is a driver of GDP, the ability to maintain a signal regardless of geography is no longer a luxury but a critical component of national infrastructure.

What to Watch:

Following VMO2’s lead, other major UK players like EE and Vodafone are expected to seek similar variations as the race for satellite-enabled dead-zone elimination heats up.

For VMO2, this licence variation provides a first-mover advantage in a market that is increasingly looking toward the stars to solve ground-level connectivity challenges.

The collaboration will enhance Vodacom core solutions and establish a powerful platform for creating new, disruptive products and services specifically tailored for the African market.

Under the terms of the collaboration, Vodacom will harness the capabilities of Google Cloud‘s secure, scalable infrastructure to unify its vast data assets, and then apply generative AI models, including Gemini, Veo, and Imagen, across its business. This will result in improved operational efficiencies for Vodacom and also deliver new AI-powered services for African consumers.

“This collaboration is more than a technology upgrade; it is a deep commitment to Africa’s digital revolution,” said Shameel Joosub, CEO of Vodacom. “Integrating Google Cloud’s data and AI solutions into our business will modernise our infrastructure and fundamentally shift our operational paradigm. This collaboration is essential for us to build and deploy solutions that address the unique challenges and opportunities of the continent, ensuring the transformative power of AI is accessible to millions of customers and businesses across Africa.”

Maureen Costello, vice president, UKI and SSA, Google Cloud said,

“Google Cloud is proud to support Vodacom in accelerating AI across Africa. By providing access to our most advanced generative AI models from Gemini and our leading data infrastructure, we are supporting Vodacom’s ambitious vision to build technology solutions that improve the lives of Africans.”

The primary goals of the collaboration are centered on three strategic pillars:

• Data modernisation and unification: Vodacom will migrate and unify its critical data platforms onto Google Cloud’s data cloud, including BigQuery. This enables Vodacom to achieve real-time insights, enhanced data governance, and a single, secure source of truth for business decisions. This foundation is essential for deploying large-scale AI models.
• Accelerated AI adoption in Africa: Vodacom will harness Google Cloud’s AI capabilities, like Google Cloud’s Vertex AI platform and Google’s Gemini models, to rapidly integrate intelligent services into its offerings. This includes optimising network performance, enhancing customer service with AI-powered personalised care, and combating fraud through advanced machine learning models – effectively bringing powerful AI capabilities closer to African consumers.
• Product innovation for the future: By using Google Cloud’s AI capabilities, Vodacom will focus on developing cutting-edge solutions for the African market. Initial focus areas include creating new fintech services for greater financial inclusion, developing enterprise solutions, and designing consumer experiences to improve content accessibility and education.

The collaboration announced today builds on the existing strategic relationship between Vodacom Group’s parent company, Vodafone, and Google Cloud, demonstrating a commitment to scaling digital innovation and providing enterprise-grade security and reliability across all markets.

The collaboration, announced on Wednesday, will see Starlink’s low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites integrated into Vodacom’s network to provide faster, more reliable internet access for remote communities and businesses. 

The agreement also authorises Vodacom to resell Starlink’s equipment and services across its African markets, opening new possibilities for small businesses, schools, and health centres in areas where traditional infrastructure is expensive or impractical.

Vodacom, majority-owned by Britain’s Vodafone, said the partnership is an important step in its Vision 2030 strategy, which seeks to grow its customer base from 223 million to 260 million and expand financial services users to 120 million within five years. 

In adding satellite connectivity to its mix of 4G, 5G, fibre, and microwave services, the company is moving closer to universal coverage across the continent.

Chief Executive Officer Shameel Joosub described the partnership as essential to achieving inclusive connectivity across Africa. “We are delighted to collaborate with Starlink, a move that accelerates our mission to connect every African to the internet. Low Earth orbit satellite technology will help bridge the digital divide where traditional infrastructure is not feasible, and this partnership will unlock new possibilities for the unconnected,” he said.

For Starlink, which is already operational in 25 African countries including Nigeria, Kenya, and Zambia, the agreement supports its expansion through an established telecom operator with deep local reach. 

Chad Gibbs, vice president of Starlink Operations at SpaceX, noted the partnership’s value: “Starlink is already serving people, businesses, and organisations in 25 African countries. By collaborating with Vodacom, Starlink can deliver reliable, high-speed connectivity to even more customers, transforming lives and communities across the continent.”

Beyond consumer access, Vodacom plans to provide bespoke enterprise solutions powered by Starlink’s satellite technology. These include backup internet services, connectivity packages for remote sites, and flexible plans for industries such as mining, oil and gas, agriculture, tourism, and finance, sectors where downtime can mean significant losses.

The deal also strengthens Vodacom’s competitive stance against MTN Group, which has been exploring its own satellite partnerships. 

Vodafone, Vodacom’s parent company, has already aligned with Amazon’s Project Kuiper and AST SpaceMobile, showing a pivot among global telecom operators towards hybrid terrestrial-satellite networks.

The agreement will focus on bringing Google’s latest artificial intelligence (AI)-powered products and services to Vodafone’s customers in Europe and Africa, as well as enhancing the digital services offered by the telecom giant.

Under this expanded partnership, Vodafone will broaden its promotion of Google’s AI-driven Pixel devices across its 5G network in Europe. The company will continue to support the Android industry, ensuring a wider reach for Google’s mobile technology.

By 2025, Vodafone plans to introduce Google One AI Premium subscription plans in select countries. These plans will feature advanced tools from Google’s AI platform, Gemini, which offers various AI-powered features such as visual, text, and audio capabilities. 

The goal is to provide users with more advanced AI tools while simultaneously promoting device upgrades, as major tech companies, including Apple and Samsung, seek to enhance their product offerings with cutting-edge AI technology.

A significant part of this collaboration will involve Vodafone utilising Google Cloud’s AI platform for its enterprise services. This partnership will enable Vodafone to offer advanced cloud-based cybersecurity solutions tailored to business needs, thereby safeguarding companies from growing cyber threats. 

The use of AI will also be extended to Vodafone’s TV services, improving search, recommendations, and targeted advertising, ultimately enhancing the customer experience.

This partnership will help Vodafone as it seeks to diversify its revenue streams beyond traditional telecommunications. The incorporation of AI into its services will support its expansion into new digital markets, aligning itself with tech giants that have found significant success through their digital ecosystems.

As part of the collaboration, Vodafone will also host in-store demonstrations of Google’s Pixel devices, showcasing their AI capabilities to help consumers better understand how AI can enhance their daily interactions with mobile technology.

He succeeds Mrs Nkem Oni-Egboma, the outgoing CFO, who is stepping down to explore new opportunities outside of 9mobile.

Idowu’s appointment is part of a significant leadership change initiated by the board of the telco in its determined efforts at business transformation which has so far seen the appointment of a new CEO to drive this process.

Idowu joins 9mobile with over 20 years of experience having led finance transformation and delivering ambitious growth for global giants, such as Vodafone, Telefonica O2, MTN Nigeria, Starcomms PLC, Shell, Barclays, PepsiCo International, British Gas, Johnson & Johnson, Norgine Pharmaceutical and Vivo Energy.

He has held senior positions in various organizations across Europe and Africa raising finance, transforming organizations, championing growth, delivering significant cost saving and efficiency, optimizing asset utilization, reorganizing and streamlining companies, and preparing entities for new markets.

His work has seen him traverse several markets including the United Kingdom, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, Belgium, and the UAE

In his comments on the new CFO appointment, Obafemi Banigbe, 9mobile’s CEO said, Idowu is a valuable addition to the high-performance team we are building at 9mobile, with his cross-sector experience and the diverse working backgrounds and experiences.

He brings valuable perspectives and skill sets that can drive strategic financial decision-making, foster innovation, and enhance risk management.

He continued, “I am looking forward to working with him to accelerate delivery on the exciting 9mobile transformation strategy. Idowu has a proven track record and experience in helping to lead high-performance organizations that improve business resilience, drive operational excellence, and deliver accelerated strategic growth.”

Speaking on his appointment, Idowu pledged to leverage his rich experience to impact the finance and operations of the company positively. “I am very excited to be a part of this new phase of business transformation. I look forward to working closely with the management team led by the CEO, staff, and other stakeholders and collaborating with the board to achieve our shared goals,” he said.

As Chief Financial Officer, Idowu will provide strategic leadership for the Finance team, and take ownership of financial decisions in line with current trends and EMTS strategic vision.

Idowu holds a bachelor’s degree in Management and Accounting from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and has a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from the prestigious Manchester Business School. He is a Certified Chartered Accountant (ACCA), a Certified Financial Analyst (FMVA), and a Certified Business Coach.

He is a guest on many radio and television programmes and speaks on many stages in Europe & Africa.

This collaboration aims to manage the increasing demand for short-form video content without compromising the user experience.

The surge in video consumption on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube has increased data usage on mobile networks. 

According to Ericsson’s 2024 Mobility Report, global mobile traffic grew by 25% in the 12 months leading up to the first quarter of 2024, with video making up 73% of all mobile traffic by the end of 2023.

Telecom operators, including Vodafone, are concerned about bearing the cost of network upgrades while major tech companies benefit without contributing to the expenses. 

Efforts by the EU to have Big Tech firms help fund 5G infrastructure stalled last year, with little hope of progress before the year’s end.

Vodafone sees partnerships with platforms like Meta as a practical solution to the fair share debate. Alberto Ripepi, Vodafone’s chief network officer, stated, “Meta’s willingness to optimize video delivery for its applications leads to a more efficient use of existing network resources.”

The companies have implemented these optimizations across Vodafone’s European markets and plan to continue working together to achieve further efficiencies.

During a trial in April, the optimization resulted in a small but significant reduction in Meta’s data traffic on Vodafone’s British network, freeing up capacity in high-demand areas such as shopping centers and transport hubs.

Gaya Nagarajan, Meta’s vice president of network engineering, reiterated the company’s mission to collaborate with innovative partners like Vodafone, device manufacturers, equipment vendors, and the broader digital ecosystem to advance video optimization techniques.

Additionally, Spain’s Telefonica announced last week that it is also working with Meta to optimize video traffic delivery on its networks.

​Truthware Solutions, a Business Enterprise Solutions Integrator crossed another landmark through its newest business integrated solutions, by fostering an integration between A​xa Mansard​ and A​irtel Nigeria to launch an Innovative Embedded Insurance Product. 

In his welcome address at the product launch, ​​Femi Oshinlaja ​the Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, stated that;

​​In line with Airtel’s core value, which is to deliver solutions that enrich the lives of our customers, we are pleased to partner with AXA Mansard Health, to launch a cutting-edge health bundle that will add value to our customers. This partnership aims to provide easy and pocket friendly health insurance access to Airtel users, through mobile data service”.

Also commenting on the launch, Tope Adeniyi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, AXA Mansard stated​;

​​​We are delighted to collaborate with Airtel to make health insurance accessible through mobile services, and we believe that this is currently one of the most innovative and relevant solutions that will empower more Nigerians to conveniently access best-in-class health insurance value offerings”.

Embedded insurance is an emerging trend in the insurance industry, offering customers the convenience of purchasing insurance coverage directly through the products they are already using. Using APIs developed by Truthware, the cross-industry integration will enable millions of customers across Nigeria​ to​access health care services at affordable prices, easy registration and a minimum barrier to entry.

“Embedded insurance is the future of insurance, and we are thrilled to be at the forefront of this exciting trend,” said Deji Macaulay, CEO of Truthware. “Truthware is committed to digital transformation across Africa and the integration of these two industry leaders has birthed a solution to a perennial problem of health care access and affordability in Nigeria.

The Airtel AXA Mansard health bundle gives Airtel customers the opportunity to access low-cost health care consultation and treatment of primary care issues. 

The bundle plan is said to provide three forms of healthcare services, including telemedicine, pharmacy, and hospitalisation reimbursement, and Airtel customers can subscribe by dialing *141*44# to select the service.

Macaulay added that customers will be able to engage hundreds of doctors using the latest AI and ChatBot technology provided by AXA and enjoy the convenience of home consultation, access to several local pharmacies (free of charge) and cash reimbursements in case of hospital visits via their website.

Commenting at the launch, Alfred Egbai, Group Head, Emerging Markets and Digital Partnerships at AXA stated, “we are committed to providing our customers with the best possible service and support. Our embedded insurance product is just one example of how we are leveraging technology to create more value for our customers to help them achieve their goals.”

With the additional data bundle configured by Airtel, customers can simply dial *141*44# to access the service and enjoy automated health protection. Customers can access the bundle for as low as N700 to secure 2GB of data and health coverage up to N50,000 yearly.

To affirm its commitment to improve business solutions in Nigeria’s MSME ecosystem, Truthware’s CTO Mr Samuel Ishie stated that “Our API hub provides a layer of seamless connectivity towards mobile networks and we are happy to have delivered the middleware democratizing health care protection via the mobile telecoms networks. Our platform is built to be flexible, robust and scalable to manage millions of transactions.”

Airtel’s Head of Digital and Carrier Services, Guruman Iwundu concluded the product presentation by saying, “the Airtel AXA-Mansard health bundle is a game-changer in the Nigerian healthcare system. Airtel is committed to delivering solutions that enrich the lives of its customers, and this health bundle is one of such solutions. We urge all Airtel customers to take advantage of this innovative service and protect themselves and their loved ones.”.

Truthware, which serves as a gateway for industries to access telecommunications services has carried out this activity for companies across industries for over 10 years.

With a rich client portfolio which comprises companies such as MTN, Airtel, LAMATA, CowryWifi, WiFlix, Glo, Vodafone and more they are just getting started.

Around a third of the global population still cannot or do not access the internet. The adoption gap for mobile internet – which arises when individuals do not use the internet even when there is mobile network coverage in an area –  is now over seven times larger than the coverage gap globally and is even larger in South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East and North Africa.

A Broadband Commission Working Group on Smartphone Access was co-chaired by Nick Read, CEO of Vodafone Group, Houlin Zhao, Secretary General of the ITU and Heidi Schroderus-Fox/ Rabab Fatima, UN High Representatives for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS).

The Working Group also included representatives from the governments of Benin and Ghana.

The report, ‘Strategies Towards Universal Smartphone Access’, found that limited affordability and availability of smartphones, along with low consumer confidence, in part due to a lack of basic digital skills, are limiting internet adoption.

The report, which took a year to research and write, identifies three interventions that will have the most immediate impact on smartphone adoption:

• increased use by telecom operators of flexible device financing models;
• reduced taxes and import duties; and
• improved distribution models to make smartphones more accessible to rural communities.

Alongside these measures the report recommends further investigation into the use of device subsidies and the re-use of pre-owned smartphones.

The Broadband Commission will create taskforces to complete a five point action plan resulting from its findings:

(i) initiate win-win partnerships with players across the digital value chain;

(ii) improve recycling regulation and develop quality standards for pre-owned smartphones;

(iii) develop strategies for recycling of mid- and low-tier devices;

(iv) explore the use of Universal Service Funds and other government subsidies; and

(v) further explore the economic benefits of reducing tax and import duties on smartphones.

Nick Read, the CEO of Vodafone Group said: “Access to the internet, and smartphones, are critical enablers of jobs, education, healthcare, financial services and much more. We need focused partnerships between business, government and civil society to drive smartphone adoption, through the five actions we have identified, to ensure we enable the transformative benefits of internet adoption for billions of people.”

Houlin Zhao, Secretary General of the ITU, said: “Thanks to the collaborative efforts of all members of the Working Group, this report moves the conversation forward by providing detailed case studies on initiatives implemented globally to address the challenges in providing affordable broadband and smartphone access. This report is just the first step. For the next phase, I would like to invite you to join us to implement the recommended initiatives and the five-point action plan to reduce the device gap for the underserved communities globally, as we move towards building a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable world.”

Rabab Fatima, UN High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS), said: “Only 45% of adults in emerging economies currently own a smartphone, compared to 76% in advanced economies.³  Women are also significantly less likely than men to own a smartphone and use the mobile internet if they live in low and middle income countries. Smartphones are not just consumer goods: they are accelerators for learning, connection and economic activity. But with the cost of a smartphone exceeding 70% of the average monthly income of people living in low and middle income countries⁴, enabling access and use to the internet must now become a policy priority for the international community.”

The Working Group also included representatives from: America Móvil; the government of Benin; the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN; the government of Ghana; the GSMA; the International Trade Centre; Intelsat; the International Science Technology and Innovation Centre for South-South Cooperation (ITC); Millicom; Smart Africa; ZTE; and the World Wide Web Foundation. The lead author of the report was Professor Christopher Yoo, John H. Chestnut Professor of Law, Communication, and Computer & Information Science at the University of Pennsylvania. The report included research from the GSMA, ITU and 19 structured expert interviews, as well as insights from focus groups of entrepreneurs convened by the ITC, and extensive desk research.

The strategies for smartphone adoption build upon the Partner2Connect Digital Coalition which was launched earlier this year by the ITU, in close cooperation with the Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology. Partner2Connect is a multistakeholder alliance to foster meaningful connectivity and digital transformation globally, with a focus on (but not limited to) the hardest- to-connect communities.

The coalition has so far had 428 pledges with an estimated financial value of US$26.06billion (€26.04billion). Pioneer pledges include Vodafone, through its main African business Vodacom, which will invest US$190 million (€190 million) over the next five years to increase 4G population coverage to an additional 80 million people in Africa.

The full report is available here.