By Ayomide Otitoju
Smartphone For All has secured international recognition for its efforts to bridge Africa’s digital divide, winning the 2025 Pinnacle Awards in the Telecoms and Wireless category for Digital Inclusion & Accessibility Champion, as well as the 2026 Merit Award for addressing the digital divide.
The Pinnacle Awards, a global platform recognising innovation and excellence across industries, commended organisations driving impact in the telecommunications sector. According to the programme’s Executive Director, Katie Lang, the telecoms industry continues to lead innovation by connecting people and businesses globally.
Similarly, Marie Zander, Executive Director of the Merit Awards, noted that this year’s winners reflect technologies and strategies shaping the future of communications.
The recognition follows the company’s 2025 launch of a continent-wide campaign aimed at expanding access to affordable smartphones, connectivity, and edge-based artificial intelligence solutions for underserved populations.
Founded on the premise that digital exclusion limits access to economic and social opportunities, Smartphone For All seeks to enable broader participation in the digital economy regardless of income level, location, or background.
Commenting on the development, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Babatunde Osho, described the digital divide as both a technology and opportunity gap, noting that lack of smartphone access restricts access to education, healthcare, jobs, and financial services.
He said the company’s mission is to expand digital access across Africa and build a large-scale inclusion platform, adding that the global recognition affirms its impact in improving accessibility on the continent.
As part of its strategy, Smartphone For All collaborates with mobile network operators to provide affordable smartphones to 2G and 3G users transitioning to 4G networks. The initiative was launched in partnership with MTN Group in South Africa in May 2025, offering devices at subsidised rates, with an initial target of 1.2 million units.
The company plans to expand the programme to additional African markets, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, and Côte d’Ivoire.
Industry data underscores the economic significance of digital inclusion. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, a 10 per cent increase in broadband penetration can drive GDP growth of up to 1.4 per cent in low- and middle-income countries.
Director at Smartphone For All, Jeff Miller, described the initiative as a catalyst for Africa’s development, noting that digital access is central to economic participation, public services, and innovation across sectors.
He added that expanding connectivity will be critical to unlocking growth across financial services, education, healthcare, and trade on the continent.
