Empowering micro entrepreneurs and small businesses through mobile phones in emerging markets and developing countries

摘要

Mobile phones are becoming increasingly affordable for people at the lower end of the income pyramid. This article illustrates by means of two case studies in India and Kenya how user-friendly mobile phone applications have increased access to finance and relevant business information for the poor. As a result, millions of local entrepreneurs in developing countries are able to expand their small-scale businesses by overcoming institutional hurdles and infrastructure constraints. Even though there are still many challenges that have to be addressed, existing experience with mobile phone technology clearly shows that it is able to add more value to local knowledge and thus lead to social and economic empowerment.In the subsequent sections, three critical success factors are discussed: Overcoming inherent technology risks, the need for educated customers, and the need for providers and governments to collaborate. The article also discusses the potential of mobile phones to contribute to sustainable development by jump-starting an empowerment process that reduces poverty, creates more employment and helps regions to better cope with their social and environmental problems