VEON Ltd., a global digital operator, has announced a partnership with the GSMA’s Mobile for Development Foundation to co-fund digital innovation projects in Pakistan and Bangladesh through the GSMA Innovation Fund. The agreement was formalized during MWC26 in Barcelona with a Memorandum of Understanding signed by John Giusti of the GSMA Foundation, Aamir Ibrahim of JazzWorld, and Johan Buse of Banglalink.
Under the partnership, JazzWorld in Pakistan and Banglalink in Bangladesh—both part of VEON Group—will collaborate with the GSMA Innovation Fund to co-finance startups selected in the Fund’s 2026 funding rounds. Beyond financial backing, VEON and its operating companies may offer in-kind support such as ecosystem visibility and capacity-building assistance to help startups scale their impact.
The GSMA Innovation Fund supports startups leveraging mobile technology to drive social, economic, and climate impact in developing countries. Projects are selected through a transparent and competitive evaluation process.
VEON operates across five countries, serving nearly 150 million connectivity users and over 140 million digital users. Through this partnership, the company aims to strengthen digital ecosystems in Pakistan and Bangladesh by empowering entrepreneurs to develop locally relevant solutions that contribute to economic growth and digital inclusion.
