Explore the Lab
Inclusive Tech Lab
A test ground for transformative digital solutions
Mobile for Development
Mobile for Development
Lagos
The Digital Utilities Partnerships Hub
The Digital Utilities Partnerships Hub is our single source of information on innovative solutions and their role in making utility services in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) more affordable, accessible, safe and sustainable.
Government-innovator partnerships in:
Mobile for Development
PC:
P: Size: 18 Line 24
H1: Size: 72 Line 65
H2: Size: 30 Line 34
H3: Size: 26 Line 30
H4: Size: 20 Line 24
H5: Size: 18 Line 24
Normal: Gotham Book
Bold: Gotham Medium
Special: Heroic
About
How it works
Core focus areas
Get in touch
How to join
Events
Introduction
Partnership toolkit
Digital Urban Utilities Forums
Resources
Digital Urban Utilities Forums
How to join
The GSMA Inclusive Tech Lab is a GSMA-led global industry initiative that takes a hands-on approach to research, testing and development of the inclusive technologies of the future.
We are thinking big. We want to make a real impact. Think about breaking down barriers to financial services for unregistered people by developing digital identities, enabling wide availability of loans, insurance and education through seamless integrations between service providers and mobile money operators, the responsible application of artificial intelligence to tailor services for women and increase their economic participation. These challenges, and many more, will be driving our thinking as we help develop the transformative digital innovations of tomorrow.
Above all else, this Lab represents the power of collaboration: we welcome your thoughts on which technologies will prove the most impactful for digital and financial inclusion in years to come.
What is the Inclusive Tech Lab?
After two decades of remarkable expansion, mobile money is a widely used financial service that features in the day-to-day lives of many. For millions of people around the world, it remains a reliable way to buy goods and services, send money to loved ones at home and abroad, purchase health insurance, and more. We now know that mobile money adoption and use boosts the economic growth of entire countries too. As the rapid expansion of mobile money accounts eases, the industry is beginning to show signs of maturity that reflect its natural evolution over time. Today, more money and more transactions flow through mobile wallets than ever before, bringing a range of financial products into the hands of hundreds of millions of users and disrupting traditional financial services.
Cutting edge industry insights
“To support our industry with inclusive innovations, we are committing ourselves to a bold new endeavour shaped by experimentation and a willingness to take risks.
With our team of dedicated ‘technopreneurs’, the Lab will take a hands-on approach to research, test and develop the inclusive technologies of the future. Jointly with industry stakeholders, the Lab will strategise, build, and pilot solutions, and disseminate the insights and assets to the wider industry.
With the aim to increase financial and digital inclusion of the underserved.”
The Lab mission
10475342
Lives impacted
worldwide through Lab technologies
How it works
Ideation
We are proud to be collaborating with the GSMA and funding the Inclusive Tech Lab to strategize, build and pilot technologies to support the industry with innovations to drive financial inclusion for the poorest.
"
01
02
03
04
05
With dedicated technical staff, the Lab will asses tech ideas and prioritise potential projects.
Exploration
Following internal assessment and guidance from the Lab Advisory Group, feasible projects will be researched.
Creation
The Lab will build readily usable products and insights up to proof-of-concept and minimum viable product.
Industry Pilot
Once the initial version of the project is ready, the product will be launch to the market (and possibly support a commercial launch).
Dissemination
The Lab will ensure learnings and Lab developed solutions will be available to the wider industry.
01
02
03
04
05
The Lab works on a range of areas that drive inclusion, including the openness and interoperability of payment systems, service accessibility for women and vulnerable user populations, digital identities for unregistered people, and more. The GSMA, together with industry stakeholders, will establish impactful proofs of concept aimed at increasing financial and digital inclusion for the underserved. We will ensure the learnings and Lab-developed solutions are available to the wider industry.
Core focus areas
+ Interoperability test platform
Sustainable interconnectivity between mobile money services, and wider financial ecosystems.
Interoperability
+ Mobile Money API
State-of-the-art API strategies for third-party integrations as key catalyst for platform growth.
Seamless integration
+ QR code merchant payments
Harmonising payment experiences for retail payments.
Merchant payments
+ Digital safety for gender inclusion
Innovative technical assets that can remove some of the barriers faced by girls and women.
Gender
+ Biometrics showcase
Biometrics solutions to lift identity barriers to inclusion.
Biometrics
If your idea has the objective to support financial inclusion, gender equality, digital identity, or other areas driving social impact in emerging markets, then get in touch to share your idea and learn more about how we work and the eligibility criteria.
Join the Inclusive Tech Lab
Do you have a brilliant idea that can transform the lives of millions of people?
Get in touch
More Information
How to join in 5 steps
What is it and how do I collaborate?
Frequently asked questions
Matt Bohan
Senior programme Officer, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
"
There’s a need for industry collaboration. As KaiOs, we are pleased that the GSMA is reaching out to wider industry, seeking collaboration across verticals to drive innovation and digital inclusion to the underserved. We are keen to join forces, including the digital divide in societies around the world, it creates new opportunities for people in education, health care and business.
Sebastien Codeville
CEO
"
The mobile industry may no longer be recognizable as it is today five years from now, so it’s going to change radically. For operators to continue to play a pivotal role and to drive financial inclusion, it’s important that we work on the technological advancements happening in this space and that’s why we are partnering with the GSMA to help and support development in this very important area.
Aniqa Sandhu
Managing Director, Global Digital Financial Services
The Lab benefits from guidance received from leading industry figures making up its global Advisory Group. A group of experts from the wider mobile industry that help to assess, prioritise and contribute towards potential project ideas received by the Lab.
Advisory group
PI-13 Mojaloop Online Community Meeting
Events
26-28 January 2021
Online
GSMA Thrive APAC
26-28 October 2020
Online
GSMA Thrive Africa
29 October 2020
Online
PI-12 Mojaloop Online Community Meeting
19-23 October 2020
Online
Add Title Here
Add Date Here
Add Location here
Add Title Here
Add Date Here
Add Location here
Add Title Here
Add Date Here
Add Location here
Mobile Money Leadership Forum
1 October 2020
Online
© Copyright 2025 GSM Association. The GSM logo is registered and owned by the GSM Association.
PC:
P: Size: 18 Line 24
H1: Size: 72 Line 65
H2: Size: 30 Line 34
H3: Size: 26 Line 30
H4: Size: 20 Line 24
H5: Size: 18 Line 24
Normal: Gotham Book
Bold: Gotham Medium
Special: Heroic
01
02
03
04
05
© Copyright 2025 GSM Association. The GSM logo is registered and owned by the GSM Association.