The widespread adoption of mobile phones has transformed how individuals transact, communicate, and access markets globally, driving economic growth and expanding opportunities for microentrepreneurs (Alt et al., 2024; Awad & Albaity, 2022; Sohail & Din, 2024). This technological shift is equally significant in low- and middle-income countries, where mobile phones facilitate participation in digital economies and integration into wider value chains (Ben Jebli et al., 2024; Donou-Adonsou, 2019).

In Africa, mobile technology has had notable impacts on business development, employment creation, and financial inclusion (Haftu, 2019; Issami & Tandamba, 2023). The accessibility of phones in rural areas enables individuals to engage in income-generating activities and reduces transaction costs through services such as mobile money (Donou-Adonsou et al., 2016). Multilateral evaluations, including those by the World Bank (2019) and the ITU (2021), emphasize mobile connectivity as a critical driver of poverty reduction on the continent.

Despite these gains, substantial gender disparities persist, particularly in rural settings where women face limited access to mobile technology due to affordability constraints, literacy barriers, and restrictive social norms (Bailur & Masiero, 2017; Kajumba & Mugisa, 2020; Reynolds et al., 2023; Tang & Konde, 2019). This gender digital divide limits women’s participation in entrepreneurial activities and reinforces economic dependency (Awad & Albaity, 2022; Mpofu, 2023; Reynolds et al., 2023). Current estimates show that only about three in ten rural women entrepreneurs use mobile phones for business (Galal, 2023; Porter et al., 2020; ILO, 2022; Sohail & Din, 2024), reflecting significant missed opportunities for income growth and market expansion (Kiiru et al., 2018).

These disparities are especially visible within the informal economy, where women dominate sectors such as food vending but continue to encounter constraints in leveraging digital tools for business development (Ling et al., 2017; Oyewole & Ogunjimi, 2021). Evidence from multiple countries shows that mobile phone usage enhances women entrepreneurs’ access to market information, customer communication, and financial services, often resulting in higher sales and improved market reach (AfDB, 2016; Awoyemi & Afolabi, 2018; Kimathi & Onyango, 2018; Mehta & Mukherjee, 2018; Ndibalema & Lyimo-Mbowe, 2019). However, rural women remain disadvantaged by poor connectivity, high costs, and limited digital skills (Tang & Konde, 2019; Bailur & Masiero, 2017; ITU, 2021; UN Women, 2022; Oyewole & Ogunjimi, 2021).

Given these gaps, this study investigates how mobile phone usage influences the income of women food vendors in rural Tanzania, focusing on Mvomero district. Specifically, it examines the extent to which mobile phones contribute to income generation and identifies barriers that hinder effective utilization of digital tools for business purposes. The findings aim to inform policy and development initiatives aimed at strengthening digital inclusion and enhancing women’s economic empowerment in rural areas.

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