THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
MUMBAI
/ NEW DELHI, MAY 6, 2026
A major new
initiative aimed at advancing women’s digital inclusion — the SheConnects
Digital Accelerator — was announced on Wednesday by Reliance Foundation and the
Gates Foundation. The programme seeks to enhance the lives and livelihoods of
women and girls by promoting the adoption of proven, high-impact digital
solutions.
With an outlay of INR
200 crore over the next three years, the Accelerator is envisioned as a Global
South platform to support locally driven innovations that strengthen women’s
digital participation. In India, the initiative will be led by Reliance
Foundation, focusing on identifying and scaling evidence-based solutions. In
collaboration with the Gates Foundation, it will also foster South-South
knowledge exchange, particularly between India and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Over the past decade,
both India and Sub-Saharan Africa have made notable progress in expanding digital
access and opportunities for women. Building on this momentum, the SheConnects
Digital Accelerator will adopt a three-pronged strategy: scaling
evidence-backed solutions through grants and technical support; promoting
cross-regional learning and collaboration among innovators; and strengthening
the broader ecosystem to replicate successful models.
“Empowering women with the tools and
confidence to participate fully in the digital world is essential to building a
more equitable future. When women are placed at the centre, they not only
transform their own lives but also drive wider societal change. In India,
Reliance Foundation will support the SheConnects Digital Accelerator to scale
solutions that bridge the gender digital divide and enhance women’s agency.
Over the next three years, we look forward to sharing India’s innovations and
learnings with the Global South,” said N Deepthi Reddy, Chief – Women
Empowerment, Reliance Foundation.
Highlighting the
broader global context, Saachi Bhalla, Deputy Director – Gender Equality at the
Gates Foundation, said, “Across the Global South, women continue to face
systemic barriers in accessing and benefiting from digital technologies. While
countries like India and several African nations have made significant strides,
there remains much to be done. The SheConnects Digital Accelerator offers an
opportunity to support locally led, context-specific innovations. By fostering
collaboration and shared learning, we aim to accelerate progress towards a more
inclusive digital future for women.”
The initiative builds
on Reliance Foundation’s long-standing commitment to women’s empowerment and
digital inclusion since 2010. In the last three years alone, the Foundation has
supported culturally rooted, innovative solutions that have expanded digital
access for more than 6 lakh women across India.
Similarly, across India and Africa, the Gates Foundation has partnered with governments to strengthen digital public infrastructure, enhance digital ecosystems, and expand women’s access to financial services, healthcare information, and livelihood opportunities through digital platforms. Its work continues to address key barriers such as affordability, digital skills, safety, and access, in collaboration with governments, non-profits, and private sector stakeholders.
By accelerating digital adoption among women, the SheConnects Digital Accelerator aims to contribute to the global goal of halving the gender digital divide by 2030 — a commitment endorsed by leaders during India’s G20 Summit 2023 — paving the way for a more inclusive and prosperous future.
