Africa: The Impact of Mobile Phones. Moving the debate forward
Neil Gough; Charlotte Grezo (2005)
This Vodafone paper aims to assess the economic impact of mobile telephones in developing countries.
The article, Mobile Communications in South Africa, Tanzania and Egypt: Results
from Community and Business Surveys presents the results of research into socio-economic impacts of mobile communications on households, rural communities and small businesses in Africa. Some of the questions the research sought to address include:
Who uses mobile communications services?
What are the factors that influence ownership, use and non-use of mobile phones?
What are mobile phones used for – as a consumer good, for business or employment purposes, or both?
What role do mobiles play in the operation of small businesses in urban and rural areas?
What social and economic impact are mobile phones having on communities and small businesses in Africa?
The results of the surveys suggest that mobiles have brought considerable benefits to communities and small businesses. People at all income levels are able to access mobile services, either through owning or sharing a phone; and gender, age and education do not seem to constitute barriers to access. While income certainly explains the level of usage, lack of income does not prevent mobile use. Even the absence of electricity does not present an insurmountable barrier, thanks to the sharing of mobiles and recharging batteries in the nearest town, or recharging locally by a generator or car battery.
For the residents of the rural communities, mobile phones have typically had positive economic and social impacts. Mobiles have reduced travel needs, assisted job hunting and provided better access to business information. Greater ease of contact with family and friends has improved relationships. These benefits were reported even though the communities surveyed were amongst the poorest in their countries.
Mobile phones have also become an essential tool for small businesses. A substantial proportion of small businesses have no alternative method of communication. The proportion is highest for black-owned businesses in South Africa and informal sector businesses in Egypt, suggesting that mobiles have become an important tool for disadvantaged groups. A large majority of small businesses said mobiles have brought higher profits, turnover and increased efficiency, although they are also paying higher call charges.
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