The global mobile industry has achieved at least 58% of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in spite of strong strong headwinds hindering the pace of development, according to the GSMA’s annual report into the industry’s progress against the SDGs.
The ‘2024 Mobile Industry Impact Report: Sustainable Development Goals’, published Wednesday, finds that the industry has achieved 58% of its potential contribution to the 17 goals, up from 31% in 2015 but still with much work to do ahead of the 2030 deadline.
While more people are connecting to the internet via mobile than ever before, growth is slowing. In 2023, 160 million new users accessed mobile internet – matching 2022’s increase but falling short of the higher gains seen between 2015 and 2021. Getting more people online is crucial for achieving the SDGs and ensuring inclusivity in the digital age, directly supporting SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure).
This growth challenge is set against the backdrop that SDG progress more generally is slowing in the face of challenging global headwinds such as conflict and economic instability. Overall, nearly half of the SDGs currently show minimal or moderate progress, and over a third of targets are regressing.
Digital connectivity essential for hitting targets
To address this, the UN has outlined six investment pathways, including digital connectivity, which is crucial for enabling the sustainable and innovative solutions needed to achieve the SDGs. The potential impact of digital connectivity is vast – a 10% increase in mobile broadband penetration can increase GDP by 1-2.5%, as well as reduce poverty and improve well-being.
Since 2015, $1.6 trillion has been invested in 4G and 5G infrastructure, resulting in an additional 5.1 billion 4G and 1.6 billion 5G connections. This has improved download speeds and access to educational content, financial services, and health information. As part of this mission, the UN’s Common Agenda has also called for a Global Digital Compact focusing on closing the digital divide, ensuring safe online spaces, and governing AI for humanity.
Mobile driving significant direct impact
The role of digital technologies in advancing the SDGs is shown by the strides the mobile industry has already made towards them. Mobile technologies have advanced SDG 1 (No Poverty), reaching 2.1 billion of the world’s poorest, with nearly half now connected to mobile internet – a 770 million increase since 2015. Mobile is serving as a platform for users to access government services, job searches and obtain information about products and services, all of which help people to get out of poverty when used correctly.
The industry also impacts on SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by supporting improvements to agricultural practices, nutritional knowledge and household food security, aided by rising rural mobile penetration. Additionally, SDGs 4 (Quality Education), 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) are boosted by the industry, with growing mobile usage enhancing a range of improved outcomes in areas including agricultural information and essential services.
The mobile industry has made the most significant contribution on SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) by expanding network coverage and internet access, with 57% of the global population now using mobile internet. This in turn is driving mobile-enabled services, enhancing the industry’s impact on SDG 1 and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by unlocking services such as mobile banking and mobile money, creating employment opportunities, and raising productivity.
However, 3 billion people worldwide remain unconnected from mobile internet services despite living in areas covered by mobile networks. This figure, the ‘Usage Gap’, is driven by barriers such as a lack of digital literacy, handset affordability, concerns over safety and security, and other factors highlighted by the GSMA’s ‘Breaking Barriers’ campaign. And this number can be improved significantly by targeting the SDGs.
Mobile operators and partners are developing initiatives globally to improve global connectivity. The latest GSMA report highlights efforts from across the industry including offering smartphone financing options to increase accessibility – in particular, the recent launch of a Handset Affordability Coalition – promoting digital skills, and education on consumer protection and online safety.
Additionally, the mobile sector is making significant investments in AI, which shows enormous promise in allowing operators to optimise networks and reduce emissions while advancing SDG impacts. The industry has united behind the responsible use of AI, promoted by the GSMA’s roadmap to help MNOs to adopt and evolve ethical and sustainable approaches to the technology.
Mats Granryd, Director General of the GSMA, said: “The UN SDGs are at a critical juncture, confronting a complex web of global crises, from climate change to conflict. However, we should not allow these powerful headwinds to limit our ambition to drive change. The mobile industry is uniquely positioned to drive acceleration, with transformative technologies making contributions to almost all the SDGs. Our passion and technology continue to make a huge difference to communities worldwide as the primary gateway to the internet for billions, uplifting them and allowing them to maximise their potential in a digital world.”
