Bridging the Digital Divide: Insights from Sebastien Codeville and KaiOS

On December 12, La French Tech Shanghai was honoured to host Sebastien Codeville, Founder and CEO of KaiOS, for an instructive discussion on the theme: "Bridging the Digital and Financial Divide: Empowering Communities Through Tech." This event addressed the serious concern of digital inequity and KaiOS’ innovative solutions to address them.

The Reality of the Digital Divide

Sebastien opened the discussion by highlighting the harsh realities of global inequality. Currently, 3.4 billion people lack internet access, 1.7 billion remain unbanked, and millions lack basic necessities like education and electricity. These figures show the urgent need for solutions that bridge both digital and financial divides, particularly in underserved regions.

The core causes of this divide, Sebastien explained, go beyond mere infrastructure gaps. While broadband coverage is expanding, affordability, accessibility and relevance remain major barriers. For many, the cost of devices and data plans is too expensive, digital literacy is minimal, and local services are sometimes unavailable or irrelevant.

KaiOS’s Approach to Inclusion

KaiOS has emerged as a leader in addressing these challenges. With a focus on affordability and accessibility, KaiOS transforms basic feature phones into powerful tools for connectivity, education, and financial inclusion. Their efforts can be categorised into three main areas:

1. Reducing Costs

KaiOS uses creative strategies to lower the price of devices.? They made smartphones as affordable as 2G feature phones by encouraging local production, providing subsidies, and incorporating microfinance models. This has given first-time internet users access to previously inaccessible technology.

2. Financial Inclusion through Innovation

The platform uses digital wallets, gamified financial education and other tools to empower users. These innovations surpass traditional banking systems, allowing millions to participate in the digital economy. During the event, Sebastien shared examples of how KaiOS has collaborated with governments and NGOs to extend financial services to underserved communities.

3. Tackling Digital and Financial Divides Simultaneously

KaiOS’s impact extends globally, from digitising education for Nigerian students to supporting regreening initiatives in Tanzania. The company’s devices come equipped with 1,500+ apps, gamified learning platforms and digital literacy tools, ensuring that users can make the most of their connectivity.

Geopolitics and Impact-Tech

Sebastien also delved into the link between geopolitics and technology. He pointed put that institutional gaps often present opportunities for impactful innovation. By collaborating with public and private stakeholders, KaiOS has mobilised funding to scale its solutions globally.

KaiOS’s contributions have not gone unnoticed. In 2024, the company received the UN Award for SDG Impact, recognising its concrete contributions to seven Sustainable Development Goals through initiatives in education, financial inclusion and environmental sustainability.

Lessons Learned in Scaling Impact

Sebastien gave important advice from his journey as the head of KaiOS:

• Risk Management: Managing political instability, currency depreciation, and USD shortages necessitates proactive measures such as hedging to reduce risk.
• Focusing on Simplicity: “The challenge is global, but focus on one country and one issue at a time,” Sebastien advised. He also highlighted the importance of selecting a single innovation to address complex problems effectively.
• Building Strategic Partnerships: While collaboration is essential, startups benefit more from focusing on partnerships with established entities rather than other startups in their early stages.

A Vision for the Future

KaiOS’s objective of using technology to empower underserved communities is both ambitious and achievable. The company has already connected 175 million users, proving that innovation, when paired with purpose, can transform lives.

The event was a powerful reminder of the potential for tech for good to drive meaningful change. Sebastien Codeville’s leadership and KaiOS’s achievements inspire hope that the digital divide can be bridged, enabling a more inclusive and equitable future for all.

Hope to see you for our next FrenchTechSH Connect !

La FrenchTech Shanghai Team