SDG10: Reduced Inequalities
Why it matters
SDG 10 focuses on reducing inequality within and among countries. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the incomes of the bottom 40% of the population grew faster than the national average in most countries. However, the impacts of the pandemic and uneven global recovery threaten to reverse that trend and further worsen inequality. Meanwhile, record numbers of people are being forced to flee conflicts and economic hardship: as of mid-2022, one in 251 people worldwide was a refugee, the highest proportion ever documented.[44]
The industry’s contribution
Mobile technology contributes to SDG 10 by reducing the cost of remittances and improving the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Mobile money–enabled international remittances have been flourishing, with $22 billion processed in 2022 (a year-on-year increase of 28%) and being available across 161 country-to-country corridors.[45] Furthermore, the ubiquity of mobile in many countries means that it can facilitate access to financial and other lifechanging products and services in many contexts, including for people with disabilities and those facing humanitarian crises.
In 2022, mobile penetration among the world’s poorest 40% was 65%,[46] representing an increase of 560 million people since 2015. Meanwhile, mobile internet penetration reached 47% among the world’s poorest 40% in the same year, an increase of nearly 710 million since 2015.
Despite these improvements, there was a slight decline in the SDG 10 impact score in 2022, as a result of the reduction in usage across a number of mobile-enabled services linked to reducing inequalities (e.g. using mobile to access government services and using mobile to purchase goods). This was most likely the result of face-to-face activities returning post pandemic, as well as the impact of the cost-of-living crisis.
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Maximising mobile’s impact by 2030
Improving collaboration across the ecosystem is crucial to maximising the mobile industry’s impact on SDG 10. For instance, uptake and usage of digital assistive technology innovations by people with disabilities can be greatly enhanced by implementing inclusive or participatory design processes. This can drive innovations that better meet the needs of users.[47] Furthermore, engaging humanitarian organisations to collaborate with mobile money providers can increase digital and financial inclusion for forcibly displaced people.
Case Studies
Telenor aims to drive digital inclusion among young immigrants
A joint European Commission and OECD report[48] highlights a wide employment gap in the EU between native-born people and non-EU immigrants.[49] Finland has over 470,000 people with a migrant background, many of whom face challenges in accessing the labour market. Young immigrants, in particular, encounter difficulties due to limited networks, discrimination and insufficient knowledge of digital skills.
DNA, Telenor's Finnish operator, collaborated with development and humanitarian organisation Plan International Finland in 2022 to promote digital equality and provide invaluable insights into the ICT sector for immigrants who are 16 to 21 years old. The initiative offers them workshops, practice interviews, video applications and CV preparation. Job-shadowing opportunities in DNA are also possible, as well as with other participating companies and public structures, allowing a glimpse into the working life across several sectors and activities.
More than 250 young immigrants have already benefited from this programme. They have strengthened their digital skills through participation in ten workshops, been involved in event planning and contributed to research on the digital skill needs of young immigrants. Additionally, job-shadowing sessions at DNA have offered a glimpse into working life in the ICT sector.
Telenor and Ericsson enable flood donations in Pakistan
Pakistan received more than three times its usual rainfall in August 2022, causing floods across the country. The devastating floods, linked to climate change, impacted over 33 million people, destroyed 1.7 million homes and led to nearly 1,500 deaths and caused economic losses of over $30 billion.
The people impacted by floods required substantial financial support from both local and global communities to rebuild their lives. Many countries and international charitable organisations provided monetary assistance to Pakistan for flood relief. However, it is not always easy to donate to trusted relief funds in Pakistan. It is critical to choose the right payment method that is quick, convenient and secure.
Easypaisa – a digital payments app in Pakistan with 14 million users, powered by Ericsson's Wallet Platform – enabled its users to donate in a few clicks, without any hassle, by introducing a flood relief and donations payment service.
This convenient donation feature enabled Easypaisa users to donate to 30 humanitarian organisations and support flood relief efforts. From June to November 2022, more than 400,000 donation transactions were processed by Easypaisa facilitating collections of donations, worth over PKR100 million. Most of the donations were leveraged by the relief organisations to provide essentials to people impacted by the floods and to support them in rebuilding their lives.
