12 ways mobile phones changed Africa forever
It is estimated that more than half of the sub-Saharan Africa’s adult population is now connected to a mobile phone.
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Windows Phone(gadgetsndtv)
Apart from easing communication,
technology has indeed revolutionized the entire African continent. The
wide use of mobile phones has boosted the economic output of individuals
across the continent and generally improved the standard of living and
awareness amongst the populace.
It is estimated that more than half of the sub-Saharan Africa’s adult population is now connected to a mobile phone.
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A man
holds up his mobile phone showing a M-Pesa mobile money transaction page
for the photographer at an open air market in Kibera in Kenya's capital
Nairobi December 31, 2014. REUTERS/Noor Khamis
Mobile phones have changed the way companies, government agencies and other institutions deal with customers and services.
Here are 12 ways in which mobile phones have changed Africa:
Money transfer:
In 2007, Safaricom, the largest telecom company in Kenya, and Vodacom
in Tanzania launched a mobile-phone based money transfer service called
M-Pesa.
In Kenya right now, the service already
has more than 20 million users, with transactions going up to about 30%
of the country’s GDP. Mobile money transfers have now made transfer of
funds less confined within borders.
Banking:
Mobile phones have given millions of Africans the ability to move on
from the traditional brick-and-mortar banking system to online banking.
Now users can deposit, transfer and even pay for services from their
mobile phones.
Communication:
Africa has moved on from hand-written letters and landlines to mobile
phones which over greater reach and practicality. Mobile phones have
made the continent much more connected.
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A
Zimbabwean man speaks on his phone outside a branch of mobile service
provider Econet Wireless in central Harare, June 6, 2014.
EUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo
Health Care:
Tech startups and other tech companies have made it easier for patients
and doctors to connect via various mobile phone solutions. In Nigeria,
genuine/fake drugs and foodstuffs can be verified on the NAFDAC database
via mobile phones.
Agriculture:
There are already mobile apps that can be used to share weather
information, market prices and other important information used in the
entire agricultural process.
Activism:
Because the continent is now better connected and aware, citizen, via
mobile phones, have been able to pressure governments and speak up for
themselves. Social media has made it harder for corrupt government
officials to get away with their deeds.
Education:
Many higher learning institutions have e-learning platforms that have
been optimized for mobile phones, making learning much easier and
accessible.
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Mobile telephony(Habarnetwork)
Entertainment:
Mobile phones have changed the way the music industry runs in Africa
with the advent of various online music platforms. Musicians across
Africa are now selling their music via ringtones and the likes.
Disaster management: Relief materials and warning can be communicated much more effectively in Africa now thanks to mobile phones.
Data Collection:
Various companies and organisations have found it much easier to
collect data, conducts surveys, and polls, thanks to mobile phones. Now
organisations have access to valuabl data which was not easy to do
before mobile phones.
Market reach: Many apps optimized for mobile phones have been developed to aid businesses in reaching their target customers. eg sms www.bansmsg.com
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