A new report by the GSMA finds that the mobile industry has impacted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and connects 4.8 billion people in the world. The report is the first of its kind.
The report titled ‘2016 Mobile Industry Impact Report: Sustainable Development Goals’ which was unveiled at the United Nations Private Sector Forum, provides a current assessment of the mobile industry’s impact in achieving the SDGs, and outlines future actions that will expand and strengthen that impact, a press release copied to ghanabusinessnews.com says.
The report, which was developed by Deloitte for the GSMA, is designed to facilitate progress reporting by creating a common, measureable system that links the industry’s activities to their impact on the SDGs and will serve as an input into industry decisions on strategy, planning and investment.
The release indicated that the report will enable the mobile industry to engage more effectively with partners based on impact on the SDGs, and it also creates a framework that can be shared with others in the mobile communications ecosystem, as well as with other industries.
“The Mobile Industry Impact Report forms a baseline to measure the industry’s progress against the SDGs; updates will be published on a yearly basis,” the release added.
According to the release, the report finds that the mobile industry impacts all 17 Goals to varying degrees, with the greatest effect being felt on SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
“Collectively connecting nearly 4.8 billion people globally, mobile operators and players across the ecosystem are already delivering a vast range of programmes and initiatives that contribute to achieving the SDGs, such as:
On the impact on SDG 1 (No Poverty) –the report notes that today, more than 400 million people have access to financial services via their phone, with mobile money services available in over 90 countries.
“The mobile industry is committed to continue to develop new mobile money products, such as international remittances, for developing world consumers who need them most,” it says.
The report points out that there is impact on SDG 5 (Gender Equality) – The mobile industry is focused on increasing women’s access to and use of mobile services in low- and middle-income countries around the world.
The report finds that since its launch in February, 18 operators representing over 90 million customers have joined the Connected Women Commitment Initiative to close the gender gap in mobile internet and mobile money services.
The report citing the impact on SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) – The report finds that the mobile industry is a major contributor to the world’s economy.
“The mobile ecosystem added $3.1 trillion in economic value to the global economy in 2015, equivalent to 4.2 per cent of GDP, a figure predicted to rise to $3.7 trillion by 2020. The industry also directly and indirectly supported 32 million jobs in 2015 and contributed $430 billion to public funding in the form of various types of taxation,” the report said.
The mobile industry is committed to leveraging technology and expertise to ensure that communication is possible in disasters and humanitarian crises, the report said.
“Endorsed by the United Nations OCHA, the GSMA’s Humanitarian Connectivity Charter now has 103 mobile network operators across 76 countries, committed to ensuring network resilience and supporting subscribers during times of crisis,” the release said, indicating that mobile technology has impacted SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
The GSMA is the umbrella organisation representing the interests of mobile operators worldwide.
By Emmanuel K. Dogbevi
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