Technology

From 2020 to 2025, the number of mobile phone users will increase by half a billion, reaching 5.7 billion—or 70% of the world’s population (GSMA, 2021). The majority of these new users will be in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and Asia, where mobile phones enable access to vital information and resources.

In an increasingly interconnected world, technology is both a driver of some of the challenges GIST works to overcome—and a potential solution. For example, dangerous speech and fake news that spread online and via social media are an increasingly prevalent driver of violent conflict and political events. On the other hand, social media can also be a platform for community building, outreach, and information dissemination when used appropriately.

Technology is a powerful way to increase scale, efficiency, and program quality in our work. With distributions of cash or goods, digital identities can help reduce fraud and ensure that more resources go to the people who need them most. Similarly, early warning messages sent before climate-related weather events enable remittance senders to quickly transfer money to loved ones, allowing them to prepare for the impact of the crisis.