I’ve mentioned before that fixed-line internet penetration is very low in Africa and many other developing nations, but in my previous posts I usually quoted one-off mentions of this fact, citing experts in the field.
New data was released last month by the International Telecommunication Union that serves as a powerful, data-backed illustration of just how big a factor mobile will be going forward, especially in Africa:
As you can see, while mobile cellular penetration per 100 people is quite high in all regions, it is specifically in Africa where the disparity is most pronounced. Fixed broadband and Mobile together only reach ~3.8% of every 100 people, while mobile cellular reaches an astounding ~41%.
People at the bottom of the pyramid are using their mobile phones to do so many things they couldn’t do before; message friends, check on deliveries to their home businesses, and read materials promoting AIDS awareness. There is a tremendous opportunity to use this new medium to promote positive global change, I will highlight one company doing exactly that with my upcoming interview featuring the Praekelt Foundation (coming soon).
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