MUMBAI / DELHI — In a major push for global gender equity, the Reliance Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today announced the launch of the SheConnects Digital Accelerator. This INR 200-crore initiative is designed to fast-track digital inclusion for women and girls across India and Sub-Saharan Africa over the next three years.

Announced on May 6, 2026, the Accelerator aims to halve the digital gender gap by 2030—a goal previously championed by G20 leaders during India’s 2023 presidency.

A Three-Pronged Strategy for Impact The SheConnects Digital Accelerator will deploy a localized, evidence-based approach to ensure digital tools translate into real-world economic agency for women:

• Scaling Proven Solutions: Providing grants, awards, and technical advisory support to expand high-impact digital interventions.

• South-South Collaboration: Facilitating a knowledge-sharing bridge between India and Sub-Saharan Africa to exchange best practices and innovations.

• Ecosystem Building: Encouraging the adoption of inclusive digital practices across the public and private sectors.

Leadership Perspectives Spokespersons from both foundations highlighted the transformative potential of the partnership:

“Empowering women with the tools and confidence to participate fully in the digital world is essential to a more equitable future. When empowered women are at the centre, they catalyse transformation in society.” — Ms. N Deepthi Reddy, Chief of Women Empowerment, Reliance Foundation.

“By fostering collaboration and learning across regions, we hope to accelerate progress toward a more inclusive digital future for women. This is an opportunity to support locally led innovations in contextually relevant ways.” — Ms. Saachi Bhalla, Deputy Director of Gender Equality, Gates Foundation.

Building on a Decade of Progress The initiative leverages the deep expertise of both organizations:

• Reliance Foundation: Has already reached over 600,000 women in India through culturally rooted digital solutions over the last three years.

• Gates Foundation: Continues its work with governments to expand Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), making financial services and health information more accessible to women globally.

At a Glance: The SheConnects Mission

• Total Investment: INR 200 Crore

• Duration: 3 Years (2026–2029)

• Target Regions: India and Sub-Saharan Africa

• Primary Goal: Advance women’s digital inclusion and livelihoods

• Key Partners: Reliance Foundation (India) & Gates Foundation (Africa)

By focusing on affordability, digital literacy, and safety, the SheConnects Digital Accelerator seeks to turn digital access into a powerful engine for social and economic prosperity across the Global South.