Dennis Francis, the President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), has commended India for its extraordinary achievement in lifting 800 million people out of poverty over the past five to six years. He attributed this progress primarily to the widespread use of smartphones and the country’s rapid digitalization.
During his address at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Francis pointed out that India’s high internet penetration and accessible banking services via mobile phones have played a crucial role in this transformation.
He highlighted how rural farmers in India, who previously struggled with limited access to banking, can now manage all their business transactions—including bill payments and receiving funds—directly from their smartphones.
“Digitalization lays the foundation for rapid national development. India’s experience demonstrates this, having lifted 800 million people out of poverty in the last five to six years through smartphone usage,” Francis remarked.
The UNGA President stressed that such levels of digital inclusion are still lacking in many regions of the Global South, urging for collaborative efforts to tackle this inequality and enhance digitalization in these areas.
