The Impact Of Mobile Technology In Africa

Africa’s use of mobile technology in spurring development in all sectors across the continent has been recognised as a way to move the continent towards solving basic social problem through its innovation.

As GSMA reports,the continent has been the fastest growing in terms of both unique subscribers and connections.By june 2014,the penetration rate across the sub-saharan region stood at 38% equivalent to 392 subscribers.The mobile subscriber is set to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7% per annum by 2020.

The mobile industry contributed 5.4% to overall gross domestic product (GDP) in the region in 2013, and this is set to increase by  6.2% by 2020.This indication positions the region in a vital way of fully utilizing the positive effects of mobile technology.

Kenya’s M-pesa,an  SMS ‐based  money  transfer  system  that  allows  individuals  to  deposit,  send,  and withdraw funds using their cell phone  has been hailed on its ability to revolutionalise the mobile money transfer services .This project has been repeated in other countries across the continent which has also proven to be a success.

Though the continent lags  behind in terms of individuals with mobile phones having access to the internet as compared to the global population,the continents use of mobile in driving innovation has uncreased over the years.The penetration stands at 26.5% as compared to the world average at 42.3%  as of June according to the internet world statistics.

Mobile technology’s impact in delivering quality health could be widely seen in the recent outbreak of Ebola in the some countries in the West African Region of the continent.In addressing counterfeit drugs,M-Pedigree’s mobile application allow users to identify counterfiet drugs by using its “Goldkeys” to check its authenticity.

Ambient insights reports that Africa has the highest Mobile Learning growth rate in the world. This year’s compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for the Mobile Learning market in Africa is 38.9%. Revenues will grow more than five times to reach $530.1 million by 2017, up from the $102.4 million reached in 2012.Consumers are driving the current market, with academic buyers close behind.

Ghana’s farmerline uses  technology to link farmers to markets, finance, weather forecast, new farming tips, inputs dealers and equipment services. Farmerline   builds supply chain and value chain solutions to integrate agricultural outputs of rural farmers in Africa/emerging markets.

These initiatives forms part of the many being driven by the impact of mobile technology in Africa as a means of bringing  innovation and economic growth across the continent.