Title: Mobile-based livelihood services in Africa: pilots and early deployments
Author: Jonathan Donner
Pages: 18 pp.
Date (published): 28/09/2009
Date (accessed): 06/11/2009
Type of information: research paper
Language: English
On-line access: yes (pdf)
Abstract:
"Paper presented at the Conference on Development and Information Technologies. Mobile Phones and Internet in Latin America and Africa: What benefits for the most disadvantaged? Castelldefels, Barcelona.

The paper describes a collection of initiatives delivering various forms of support functions via mobile phones to small enterprises, small farms, and the self-employed. Using a review of 24 examples of such services currently operational in Africa, the analysis identifies five functions of mobile livelihood services: Mediated Agricultural Extension, Market Information, Virtual Marketplaces, Financial Services, and Direct Livelihood Support. It discusses the current reliance of such systems on the SMS channel, and considers their role in supporting vs. transforming existing market structures."
Please note: This is a prepublication draft of the paper prepared on 28 Sept 2009 – additional changes possible... contact the author before quoting this version