Mobile Phones and Economic Development in Africa

摘要

Mobile phone usage in sub-Saharan Africa has grown significantly over the past decade and now covers 60 percent of the population. Empirical evidence shows that mobile phones have the potential to benefit consumer and producer welfare, and perhaps broader economic development.rnAs the prices of both handsets and airtime continue to fall, the mobile phone will complete its transformation from an elite status symbol to a necessity for adults at nearly all income levels. Indeed, mobile operators are continuing to innovate in their push to reach more subscribers. The price of handsets has also fallen and new solar-powered phones have recently been introduced into the market. The challenge is now to ensure complementary access to public goods and the development of appropriate policies to evaluate and propagate the benefits of mobile phones throughout the continent.