The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Dennis Francis has commended India for its transformative digital revolution, attributing the upliftment of 800 million (80 crore) people from poverty in the past five to six years to the widespread use of smartphones. Speaking at the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) event on ‘Accelerating Progress Towards Zero Hunger for the Current and Future Generations,’ Francis emphasized how the proliferation of smartphones has significantly changed the economic landscape for many in rural India.
Francis highlighted the dramatic shift in rural areas where individuals who previously lacked access to banking services now conduct transactions, pay bills, and receive payments solely through their smartphones. This digital leap has facilitated financial inclusion, allowing even the most remote communities to engage in economic activities that were previously out of reach.
“Digitalization provides the basis for rapid development of a country. Take, for example, India. India has been able to lift 800 million people out of poverty over the past five to six years simply by the use of smartphones,” Francis stated. He noted that India’s high internet penetration has been crucial in supporting this transformation, enabling widespread use of smartphones and enhancing access to financial services.
In contrast, Francis pointed out that many countries in the Global South have not experienced similar advancements. He stressed the need for equitable digitalization efforts to bridge this gap and foster global progress in the digital age.
Digitalization has been a central focus of the Indian government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. Since the 2016 demonetization of high-denomination banknotes, there has been a significant increase in digital payment transactions, with the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) playing a key role in this growth. The Prime Minister has championed the JAM initiative—Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, and Mobile—which has successfully facilitated the opening of millions of bank accounts across rural areas, linking them with Aadhaar and enabling direct access to government schemes and payments.
The UNGA President’s remarks underscore the remarkable impact of digital technology in India, showcasing how innovation and policy initiatives can drive substantial socio-economic improvements.
