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A market trader on her smart phone in Myanmar

DFID will provide financial support to GSMA, which represents mobile operators worldwide, to develop and roll out new technologies that can improve response to natural disasters, help women obtain financial services, and boost access to safe water and clean energy in the developing world.

UK international development minister Nick Hurd said the partnership with GSMA was at the forefront of bringing the battle against extreme poverty into the digital era.

“We have a real opportunity to accelerate the development of mobile technologies that can help save lives, help women reach their potential and boost the growth of emerging economies for Britain to trade with,” he said.

DFID and the GSMA have already been working together over the past three years, including on projects to improve access to solar power in Uganda and Ghana and a project to enhance access to clean water in Rwanda.

DFID said the partnership will make significant contributions to nine of the global goals for sustainable development, agreed at the UN in September, including promoting decent work and economic growth, innovation and infrastructure, affordable clean energy and gender equality.