Mobile phone killed the laptop star?

Roxanna SamiiInternational Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)WCCA/IAALD/AFITA joint conference24-27 August 2008

ICT4D mantra

• FOCUS on PEOPLE, not technology

• Ensure ownership and appropriation

• Develop local content• Ensure language and

cultural pertinence• Ensure participation

What type of ICTs can be at the service of small-scale farmers?

• Affordable

• Scalable

• Self-sustaining

• Sensible

• Participatory

• Appropriate

The availability and use of ICT is no longer optionalA. Sen

Mobile telephony: the panacea?

• 3.3 billion mobile subscribers globally*

• Integrated platform offering, content and telecom services

• 280.7 million mobile phone subscribers in Africa

• Pre-paid subscriptions account for nearly 95% of total mobile subscriptions in Africa

• High penetration rate make it “universal service”

* Wikipedia estimates as of 30/11/07

Mobile phone: Catalyst for social inclusion

• Point of contact• Predominant mode of communication• Reduces the digital divide• Accessible technology for previously marginalized

groups• Relatively affordable and easy to use• Brings families together• Provide medical services to remote villages and monitor

patients • Social networking and knowledge transfer tool

Mobile phone: Catalyst for economic growth

• Small businesses participate in the economic system

• Access to price information• Communication with buyers• New and innovative businesses• Increased job opportunity• Annual increase of 0.6% in

GDP growth • Minimize travel cost

“When you get a mobile phone it is almost like having a card to get out of poverty in a couple of years”Muhammad Yunus

Mobile phones enhancing rural connectivity: Some examples

• Fishers in Mauritius- Weather reports- Inform “buyant” or middleman of

their catch- Get price

• Small-scale farmers in Mozambique- Market analysis- Inform buyer (supermarket)- Get price

• Tradenet.biz- Commodity price, harvest,

transport, trading offers, disease outbreaks, weather and more

- SMS and internet

Mobile telephony growth drivers

• Shorter payback period on investment

• Lower installation cost• Subsidization of handsets • Pre-paid offerings • Continued liberalization of the

telecom sector • Low penetration rates • Lower level of skill to use• Positive social and economic impact

Mobile phone killed the laptop star?

• One billion people have access to internet• 3.3 billion mobile subscribers globally• Wifi technology: internet and mobile telephony happy

marriage- VoIP- Wide range of services including agricultural

extension services

US$100 laptop or $10 mobile phone: Which one will make it?

• Appropriate, affordable, scalable, self-sustaining and sensible technology

• Public-private partnership• Universal and more equitable access• Sustainable funding

Thank you

• www.ifad.org• www.ruralpovertyportal.org