Smartphone For All, a company focused on bridging Africa’s digital divide, has won two international awards recognizing its work in digital inclusion.
The company received the 2025 Pinnacle Awards Digital Inclusion & Accessibility Champion and the 2026 Merit Award for Digital Divide in the Telecoms and Wireless category.
The Pinnacle Awards celebrate innovation and excellence across industries. According to Katie Lang, Executive Director of the awards, the telecom and wireless sector “continues to set the pace for innovation, connecting people and businesses worldwide. We are proud to recognize organizations that exemplify ingenuity, reliability, and impact.” Marie Zander, Executive Director of the Merit Awards, added that this year’s winners “demonstrate the technologies and strategies shaping the future of communications.”
Smartphone For All launched an ambitious campaign in 2025 to make affordable, high-quality smartphones accessible to millions of Africans who are excluded from the digital world. The company combines connectivity with AI at the edge to give users access to education, jobs, healthcare, financial services, and more.
“The digital divide is not just a technology gap—it’s an opportunity gap,” said Babatunde Osho, Founder and CEO of Smartphone For All. “Our mission is to close that gap, one device at a time, and build Africa’s largest digital inclusion platform.”
The initiative works with mobile network operators to provide 4G smartphones to 2G and 3G subscribers at affordable prices. It was first launched with MTN in South Africa in May 2025, offering devices for just ZAR 99 ($5) and targeting 1.2 million smartphones in its first phase. Expansion plans are underway for countries including Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and Tanzania.
Beyond consumers, the program benefits network operators through improved 4G+ spectrum use, and governments see productivity and digital inclusion gains.
The Economist Intelligence Unit reports that a 10% increase in broadband connectivity can drive 1.4% GDP growth in low- and middle-income countries. Countries like South Africa are supporting this shift through policies phasing out 2G/3G devices and reducing smartphone taxes.
“Smartphone For All is not just a business, it’s a movement,” said Jeff Miller, Director. “Digital access underpins commerce, wellbeing, and civic engagement. Africa’s growth depends on bringing more people into the digital ecosystem across education, health, finance, and trade.”
With these awards, Smartphone For All is cementing its role in Africa’s digital transformation, showing how technology can unlock opportunity for millions.