GSMA Says 810 Million Women Lack Mobile Internet in LMICs as Gap Holds at 12%

3 articles · Updated · CIO Africa · Jun 10

810 million women in lower- and middle-income countries still do not use mobile internet, leaving women 12% less likely than men to be online—about 200 million fewer female users overall.
26% gaps in Sub-Saharan Africa and 25% in South Asia account for more than two-thirds of those offline, while rural gender gaps are two to three times wider than in cities.
13% fewer women own smartphones in LMICs—around 210 million fewer than men—while handset affordability, literacy and digital skills remain the main barriers to getting online.
Safety and security concerns, data costs and weaker connectivity also limit how often women use mobile internet once connected, despite a slight narrowing of the adoption gap in 2025.
GSMA said closing the mobile internet gender gap could add $1.3 trillion to GDP in LMICs, and industry efforts have already reached more than 90 million additional women since 2016.

Sources

CIO Africa7h ago

GSMA: 810 Million Women in LMICs Lack Mobile Internet Access

IndexBox, Inc.6h ago

Mobile Gender Gap Report 2026: 810 Million Women Still Offline in Low- and Middle-Income Countries - News and Statistics - IndexBox

adnkronos.com5h ago

810 million women still not using mobile internet in low- and middle-income countries, compared to 595 million men

7 Sources

Beyond affordability, what invisible barriers are keeping 810 million women from the mobile world?

As AI reshapes our world, why is the digital future leaving nearly a billion women behind?

Closing the Mobile Internet Gender Gap in LMICs: Barriers, Consequences, and Strategies for 2026

Overview

As of June 2026, the mobile internet gender gap in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) remains a major challenge, with progress in closing this divide having stalled or even reversed in some regions. Women continue to face persistent disparities in both mobile phone ownership and internet usage compared to men. A significant urban-rural divide also exists, with far fewer rural residents online, especially in low-income countries. Despite investments in digital infrastructure, many rural areas remain underserved, making it harder for women to access and benefit from mobile internet. Addressing these gaps is crucial for achieving equitable digital inclusion.

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