Axiata Sustainability

Advancing Digital Societies

Digital Inclusion

Advancing Digital Societies

Digital Inclusion

As life and work move online, it is critical that all people – regardless of socioeconomic status, gender, age, level of education and location – are able to access digital platforms and their benefits equitably. If this doesn’t occur, existing inequalities will be widened, leading to more stratified and less inclusive societies.

Cognisant of this challenge, we have made digital inclusion a key focus area of our sustainability agenda. With the overarching mission of bridging the digital divide, we are leveraging our network and technologies to enable communities at the margins of the digital arena – including lower income groups, rural communities, women and girls, individuals with disabilities, individuals with lower levels of education, and seniors – to access, learn and utilise technology to the fullest.

Our wide-ranging initiatives in digital inclusion fall within four key pillars:

Inclusive Access

Ensuring everyone has access to broadband communication in urban and rural areas, especially in schools, as well as access to learning content and healthcare.

  • Connectivity
  • Access to Vital Services

Training for Digital Skills

Providing the basis for digital literacy and intermediate skills on the use of productivity and digital marketing tools to advance employability for future professions.

  • Digital Skills

Innovation and Inclusive Services

Powering innovation in local ecosystems through our digital innovation funds, digital financial inclusion solutions and digital services for business, and improving the lives of marginalised communities through technology, especially women and girls.

  • Innovation for Social Impact
  • Digital Financial Inclusion
  • Digital Services for Business
  • Empowering Marginalised Communities

Safe and Responsible Use of Technology

Mitigating harm by protecting users and promoting the responsible use of technology.

  • Mitigating Harm & Responsible Use

Inclusive Access

Ensuring everyone has access to broadband communication in urban and rural areas, especially in schools, as well as access to learning content and healthcare.

  • Connectivity
  • Access to Vital Services

Training for Digital Skills

Providing the basis for digital literacy and intermediate skills on the use of productivity and digital marketing tools to advance employability for future professions.

  • Digital Skills

Innovation and Inclusive Services

Powering innovation in local ecosystems through our digital innovation funds, digital financial inclusion solutions and digital services for business, and improving the lives of marginalised communities through technology, especially women and girls.

  • Innovation for Social Impact
  • Digital Financial Inclusion
  • Digital Services for Business
  • Empowering Marginalised Communities

Safe and Responsible Use of Technology

Mitigating harm by protecting users and promoting the responsible use of technology.

  • Mitigating Harm & Responsible Use
In striving to leave no one behind in the digital world, we benchmark our digital inclusion performance against the highest standards. In the 2023 Digital Inclusion Benchmark by the World Benchmarking Alliance, we ranked 22nd out of the world’s top 200 technology and communication companies, placing us in the top quartile for the fourth year running.

Ranking Position

#22/200

Total Score

51.4/100

As part of the EDISON Alliance, we have pledged to improve the lives of around 23 million people between 2022 and 2025 in the areas of healthcare, education and financial inclusion (inclusive of digital skills) across Asia through its 1 Billion Lives Challenge. As of the end of 2023, we have collectively and cumulatively benefitted around 19.3 million people via identified programmes across XL, Dialog, Smart, Robi and Boost.

Key programmes contributing to EDISON Alliance contribution across our footprint:

Education

Financial Inclusion

Healthcare

Sisternet:

Empowers women-owned MSMEs in Indonesia with training in digital soft skills via webinars, courses, forums, incubation programmes and competitions, with the target of digitising approximately 1 million women entrepreneurs by 2025 to #JadiLebihBaik (Be Better).

Boost Wallet – Boost Life app

An award-winning fintech app that allows consumers to cashlessly purchase goods, pay bills, buy games and much more. 

Robi’s Healthplus

An all-in-one mobile health app for Robi customers that provides a range of healthcare-related services and resources including daily health tips via SMS, live video and audio consultancy with specialised doctors, appointment booking with doctors, health insurance and more.

Laut Nusantara:

A vital digital resource for fishermen in Indonesia, providing them with location and catch information, weather updates and trip planning support to ensure their safety at sea and improve their economic productivity.

Boost Merchant:

A suite of services for business owners that enables them to accept local and international QR payments, access business financing and simplify their business transactions with instant settlements and payments, amongst other functionalities.

Nenasa:

Sri Lanka’s premier free distance education ecosystem, comprising:

  • Nenasa Educational App, a free app that provides top-notch educational materials to primary and secondary students
  • Nenasa TV, a network of eight channels that provides over 3,000 schools with free access to educational content
  • Nenasa Smart School, which aims to digitally transform Sri Lanka’s education sector by creating a smart ecosystem and training teachers to be ambassadors in their respective schools

Dialog EzCash:

Sri Lanka’s first and largest mobile money and payment service, enabling users to carry out a variety of financial transactions including merchant payments, bill payments, transfers and cash withdrawals directly from their Dialog mobile phone, bridging the gap for the unbanked and underbanked.

e-Thaksalawa:

Sri Lanka’s national trilingual e-learning portal, delivered in partnership with Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Education, which provides students from grade 1 to 13 with access to educational resources free of data charges.

Digital Literacy Programme:

Delivered in collaboration with Cambodia’s Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MoEYS), Smart Axiata’s Digital Literacy Programme provides high school students with digital tools and increases their awareness on online safety and responsible internet usage. Smart Axiata also partnered with the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MPTC) and the Young SEAkers to recruit and train university students to become trainers.

Our Digital Inclusion Impact

In 2022, we improved the lives of over 18.5 million people through targeted digital inclusion initiatives.

Extended connectivity to over 50,000 people in rural areas

Provided access to healthcare services to
over 1.5 million people

Provided access to educational services to over 480,000 students

Supported female health, digital literacy and entrepreneurial skills for over 860,000 women and girls

Provided training and exposure to digital skills – from basic to advanced level – to over 530,000 students, teachers and entrepreneurs

Provided digital financial services to over 13.2 million people

Empowered over 1.8 million MSMEs with digital services

Extended connectivity to over 50,000 people in rural areas

Provided access to healthcare services to
over 1.5 million people

Provided access to educational services to over 480,000 students

Supported female health, digital literacy and entrepreneurial skills for over 860,000 women and girls

Provided training and exposure to digital skills – from basic to advanced level – to over 530,000 students, teachers and entrepreneurs

Provided digital financial services to over 13.2 million people

Empowered over 1.8 million MSMEs with digital services

Providing Connectivity And Access To Vital Services

As a digital company, we are committed to widening access to the internet and its myriad benefits. This begins with ensuring reliable connectivity in even the most remote of regions and extends to connecting communities to vital services in education and healthcare. Beyond being the bridge to these services, we develop specific digital solutions that are purpose-fit to the needs of communities in our markets of operation, maximising their ability to thrive in the digital economy.

Connectivity

  • Investing in network infrastructure to improve connectivity in remote regions
  • Collaborating with governments to drive digital literacy and adoption in these underserved areas

Access to Vital Services – Education 

  • Providing digital educational resources – such as desktops, laptops and entire digital computer labs – to schools in underserved and marginalised communities
  • Partnering with government entities and NGOs to provide digital courses to students
  • Developing and rolling out digital educational platforms, digital libraries and online tuition services, among other innovations, to drive learning and development among school students

Access to Vital Services – Healthcare

  • Providing telemedicine services to remote communities in collaboration with hospitals
  • Introducing mobile healthcare resources that provide customers with timely healthcare advice and access to doctor consultations

Supporting the automation and digitalisation of existing healthcare services for improved hospital reach and patient care

Training for Digital Skills

In light of rapid technological advancements, we strive to offer comprehensive digital training and capacity-building initiatives that can help in bridging the digital skills gaps in our markets. These initiatives focus on supporting local communities, students and MSMEs, as well as empowering women and rural populations who face literacy challenges.

Innovation & Inclusive Services

We are committed to advancing Asia through technology, offering support such as training and funding to foster local innovation and startups. Our diverse solutions, ranging from mobile finance to digital tools for agriculture, empower individuals and communities alike. We prioritise bridging the digital gap and promoting financial inclusion, alongside empowering women and ensuring accessibility for all users.

Innovation for Social Impact
– Digital Innovation Funds

Our four digital innovation funds – the Axiata Digital Innovation Fund (Malaysia), Dialog Axiata Digital Innovation Fund (Sri Lanka), r-ventures (Bangladesh) and Smart Axiata Digital Innovation Fund (Cambodia) – provide start-ups founders with financial and technical support, empowering them to develop digital solutions that address their country’s issues, create job opportunities and grow their local digital ecosystem. 

Digital Financial Inclusion

Even as people gain access to digital technology, many remain excluded from financial services due to a lack of funds or credit history. As a result, these individuals and businesses find it difficult to achieve their goals, and existing financial inequalities are entrenched. 

We are addressing this key issue through our digital financial services, which provide access to financial solutions for all and enable communities to participate in the digital economy, thus improving livelihoods and driving equitable economic development.

Digital Services for Business

By connecting businesses to data-driven insights that would otherwise be inaccessible, digital technology enables them to make better decisions and plan for the future with greater certainty. 

Understanding the potential to drive positive change, we offer a range of tailored digital services and solutions across various sectors, supporting daily business activities through valuable, localised data. Through these services and solutions, many of which are delivered through collaborations with partner organisations, we integrate entrepreneurs into the digital ecosystem, empowering them to make informed decisions for sustainable business growth.

Empowering Marginalised Communities

With the aim of promoting digital inclusion and accessibility for all individuals, we provide custom-designed programmes for identified marginalised communities – including women and girls – that enhance their digital skills and expand their presence in the online space. At the same time, we are working on making our technologies accessible to users of all abilities, recognising the potential of digital technology to improve quality of life for the differently-abled. 

Innovation for Social Impact
– Digital Innovation Funds

Our four digital innovation funds – the Axiata Digital Innovation Fund (Malaysia), Dialog Axiata Digital Innovation Fund (Sri Lanka), r-ventures (Bangladesh) and Smart Axiata Digital Innovation Fund (Cambodia) – provide start-ups founders with financial and technical support, empowering them to develop digital solutions that address their country’s issues, create job opportunities and grow their local digital ecosystem. 

Digital Financial Inclusion

Even as people gain access to digital technology, many remain excluded from financial services due to a lack of funds or credit history. As a result, these individuals and businesses find it difficult to achieve their goals, and existing financial inequalities are entrenched. 

We are addressing this key issue through our digital financial services, which provide access to financial solutions for all and enable communities to participate in the digital economy, thus improving livelihoods and driving equitable economic development.

Digital Services for Business

By connecting businesses to data-driven insights that would otherwise be inaccessible, digital technology enables them to make better decisions and plan for the future with greater certainty. 

Understanding the potential to drive positive change, we offer a range of tailored digital services and solutions across various sectors, supporting daily business activities through valuable, localised data. Through these services and solutions, many of which are delivered through collaborations with partner organisations, we integrate entrepreneurs into the digital ecosystem, empowering them to make informed decisions for sustainable business growth.

Empowering Marginalised Communities

With the aim of promoting digital inclusion and accessibility for all individuals, we provide custom-designed programmes for identified marginalised communities – including women and girls – that enhance their digital skills and expand their presence in the online space. At the same time, we are working on making our technologies accessible to users of all abilities, recognising the potential of digital technology to improve quality of life for the differently-abled. 

Safe And Responsible Use Of Technology

As more people and communities gain access to digital technology, it is critical that they are protected against potential harm and educated about safe and responsible digital behaviour. We are contributing to a safer digital ecosystem by collaborating with government agencies, industry partners and NGOs to combat digital dangers such as cyber attacks, cyberbullying and Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).

Read about our OpCos’ initiatives to promote safe and responsible use of technology by downloading our Sustainability and National Contribution Report 2023.

Joining the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF)

In December 2023, we joined the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), a non-for-profit organisation that works closely with the police, governments, NGOs and the internet industry to detect, disrupt, remove and prevent online child sexual abuse materials around the world. Moving forward, we will work closely with our OpCos to champion this crucial cause, solidifying our commitment to ensuring the safety of children online across our markets of operation.

Since 2015, XL Axiata has empowered women entrepreneurs to attain their dreams through Sisternet.

Sisternet provides these entrepreneurs with digital soft skills through an ongoing calendar of webinars, training courses, forums and competitions, while hosting an annual incubation programme that coaches MSMEs on how to improve their business through digital technology. Prizes worth up to IDR200 million are offered to entrepreneurs with the best business ideas and plans.

As a mark of its impact, Sisternet has been recognised with a wide range of local and international awards. Learn more about Sisternet here.

Empowering Digital Financial Inclusion

Even as people gain access to digital technology, many remain excluded from financial services due a lack of funds or credit history. As a result, these individuals and business find it difficult to expand, and existing financial inequalities are entrenched.

Through our suite of digital financial services – including e-wallets and micro-loans – as well as our digital sales and marketing channels, we provide all people and businesses with equal access to financing, insurance, digital payments and other crucial financial services, empowering them to improve their livelihoods and bring sustainable benefit to their communities.

Supporting Businesses With Digital Services

By connecting businesses to data-driven insights that would otherwise be inaccessible, digital technology enables businesses to make better decisions and plan for the future with greater certainty.

Through our digital services and solutions, we support the daily activities of businesses, SMEs and individuals across a diverse range of sectors. Our tailor-made services, offered in partnership with local organisations, offer crucial information on crop health, animal husbandry, weather patterns and more, with this information particularly valuable to those in the farming and fishing industries.

Safe And Responsible Use Of Technology

As more people and communities gain access to digital technology, it is critical that they are protected against potential harm and educated about safe and responsible digital behaviour. We are contributing to a safer digital ecosystem by collaborating with government agencies, industry partners and NGOs to combat digital dangers such as cyber attacks, cyberbullying and Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).

Read about our OpCos’ initiatives to promote safe and responsible use of technology by downloading our Sustainability and National Contribution Report 2023.

Joining the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF)

In December 2023, we joined the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), a non-for-profit organisation that works closely with the police, governments, NGOs and the internet industry to detect, disrupt, remove and prevent online child sexual abuse materials around the world. Moving forward, we will work closely with our OpCos to champion this crucial cause, solidifying our commitment to ensuring the safety of children online across our markets of operation.

Discover More on Our Sustainability Report

A Purposeful Mission

Ultimately, our initiatives contribute to our corporate vision, purpose and values, delivering on our responsibilities as a regional telecommunications and digital leader.

Our vision

To be The Next Generation Digital Champion

Our purpose

Advancing Asia

Our vALUES

Uncompromising Integrity & Exceptional Performance