The UK government is backing a new initiative by the GSMA, the global mobile industry body, to support the development and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions in Africa and other emerging markets. The GSMA Innovation Fund for Impactful AI will provide grants and support to small and growing enterprises leveraging AI to address socio-economic and climate challenges.

The fund, backed by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), aims to address the funding gap for locally developed AI innovations in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). While AI has shown potential in sectors like agriculture, energy, healthcare, and finance, funding for its application in these regions remains limited. The GSMA notes that a small fraction of global AI grants is directed towards these areas, hindering the development of solutions tailored to local needs.

The fund will offer grants ranging from £100,000 to £250,000 for projects lasting 15–18 months. Beyond funding, selected enterprises will receive venture building support, assistance in forging partnerships with mobile operators and other stakeholders, and opportunities for peer learning and increased visibility.

While the fund is sector-agnostic, it will prioritise applications focusing on:

• Contextual data from emerging technologies to train and deploy AI products and services.
• Predictive and generative AI with demonstrable potential for scale and measurable impact.
• “Last-mile” innovations: AI solutions targeting low-income and vulnerable populations in sectors such as health, agriculture, climate, finance, and education.
• “Deep-tech ecosystem” innovations: Solutions like large language models, edge computing, and machine learning that empower local AI development.

The GSMA is particularly interested in projects that leverage mobile technology alongside AI and other emerging technologies, such as the Internet of Things, remote sensing, and blockchain. The initiative seeks to foster partnerships between AI innovators, mobile operators, and public sector organizations.

The UK government’s support for the fund underscores a growing recognition of the potential of AI to drive development and address global challenges. The FCDO’s involvement highlights the UK’s focus on supporting technological innovation in developing countries.

The GSMA emphasized that the views expressed by grant recipients do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s official policies. The fund is open to applications from eligible enterprises in Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific. Further details on eligibility criteria and the application process are available on the GSMA website.