In numbers: A decade of mobile
January 2013 will be my ten year anniversary in “mobiles for development”. To say a lot has changed is something of an understatement. Back in those early pre-m4d-community days I would often get asked “Do they have mobile phone networks in Africa?”, or “How do people in Africa afford phones?”, or “Why are you wasting your time looking at the use of mobile phones in development?”.
Silly questions today, but not so silly back then, perhaps. Mobile phone ownership and penetration were largely in their infancy, and I only began looking at the conservation and development potential of this ‘emerging’ technology thanks to the incredible vision of a team at Fauna & Flora International in Cambridge, UK. A year after we started work we’d not only developed a groundbreaking project – wildlive! – but pulled together what was likely the first comprehensive report on the development potential of mobile phones. With so little actual data to go on, most of our research was based on anecdotal evidence. Ironically, solid data – even ten years on – is still a little tricky to come by.

(The full report is available in the kiwanja Mobile Database here).
Over the past nine years the conversation – and the technology – have moved on considerably, and today few people would argue that mobiles have had a transformative effect in the developing world. Quite where things are headed is a little unclear, but infographics such as this two-pager from the World Bank can help remind us how far we’ve come, and how exciting this sector is to work in.
Click for a larger (readable) version of page one here and page two here.


I would say “Here’s to the next ten years”, but with the pace of change we’ve seen so far we’re probably best not looking that far ahead.





















128 comments
->@kiwanja: In numbers: A decade of mobile http://t.co/FggBtLe9
In numbers: A decade of mobile: January 2013 will be my ten year anniversary in “mobiles for development”. To sa… http://t.co/2H9XazPG
In numbers: A decade of mobile http://t.co/LWcZC8S5 #mobile #ict4d
RT @TopsyRT: In numbers: A decade of mobile http://t.co/Vr0imhqw
Nice World Bank infographic breaks down a decade (well, nine years) of mobile for development. http://t.co/wTU8EJll #m4d #ICT4D
Nice World Bank infographic breaks down a decade (well, nine years) of mobile for development. http://t.co/wTU8EJll #m4d #ICT4D
Nice World Bank infographic breaks down a decade (well, nine years) of mobile for development. http://t.co/wTU8EJll #m4d #ICT4D
Nice World Bank infographic breaks down a decade (well, nine years) of mobile for development. http://t.co/wTU8EJll #m4d #ICT4D
Nice World Bank infographic breaks down a decade (well, nine years) of mobile for development. http://t.co/wTU8EJll #m4d #ICT4D
Nice World Bank infographic breaks down a decade (well, nine years) of mobile for development. http://t.co/wTU8EJll #m4d #ICT4D
Nice World Bank infographic breaks down a decade (well, nine years) of mobile for development. http://t.co/wTU8EJll #m4d #ICT4D
In numbers: A decade of mobile http://t.co/Mb6OJfXq via @kiwanja
Nice World Bank infographic breaks down a decade (well, nine years) of mobile for development. http://t.co/wTU8EJll #m4d #ICT4D
In numbers: A decade of mobile http://t.co/Mb6OJfXq via @kiwanja
Indeed! RT @kiwanja: Nice World Bank infographic breaks down decade (ok, 9 yrs) of mobile phone develop't. http://t.co/HYnLDgsx #m4d #ICT4D
RT @kiwanja: Nice World Bank infographic breaks down a decade (well, nine years) of mobile for development. http://t.co/YNnvQPoa #m4d #ICT4D
Nice World Bank infographic breaks down a decade (well, nine years) of mobile for development. http://t.co/wTU8EJll #m4d #ICT4D
[...] stats: 89% of people in Kenya use a mobile to send and receive texts. In Indonesia, that number is 96%. [...]
Nice World Bank infographic breaks down a decade (well, nine years) of mobile for development. http://t.co/wTU8EJll #m4d #ICT4D
Nice World Bank infographic breaks down a decade (well, nine years) of mobile for development. http://t.co/wTU8EJll #m4d #ICT4D
"The developing world is now more mobile than the developed world". http://t.co/wTU8EJll #m4d #ICT4D
"The developing world is now more mobile than the developed world". http://t.co/wTU8EJll #m4d #ICT4D
#col270 #taedtech RT: @kiwanja: "The developing world is now more mobile than the developed world". http://t.co/fx6pK7V8
"The developing world is now more mobile than the developed world". http://t.co/wTU8EJll #m4d #ICT4D
RT @kiwanja: "The developing world is now more mobile than the developed world". http://t.co/klS9t21t #m4d #ICT4D
Towards a Twitter Dashboard for the Humanitarian Cluster System http://t.co/tNMozlzM #twitter #globaldev
"The developing world is now more mobile than the developed world". http://t.co/wTU8EJll #m4d #ICT4D
Is #RIM paying attention? RT @kiwanja: "The developing world is now more mobile than the developed world". http://t.co/cSq5qjCN #m4d #ICT4D
"The developing world is now more mobile than the developed world". http://t.co/wTU8EJll #m4d #ICT4D
RT @davenportsteve: Towards a Twitter Dashboard for the Humanitarian Cluster System http://t.co/l57YZyC0 #twitter #globaldev
RT @kiwanja: "The developing world is now more mobile than the developed world". http://t.co/BMSOt13Q #m4d #ICT4D
To what end?RT @kiwanja "The developing world is now more mobile than the developed world". http://t.co/RiWKlvUr #m4d #ICT4D
"The developing world is now more mobile than the developed world". http://t.co/wTU8EJll #m4d #ICT4D
"The developing world is now more mobile than the developed world". http://t.co/wTU8EJll #m4d #ICT4D
"The developing world is now more mobile than the developed world". http://t.co/wTU8EJll #m4d #ICT4D
"The developing world is now more mobile than the developed world". http://t.co/wTU8EJll #m4d #ICT4D
"The developing world is now more mobile than the developed world". http://t.co/wTU8EJll #m4d #ICT4D
Towards a Twitter Dashboard for the Humanitarian Cluster System http://t.co/tNMozlzM #twitter #globaldev
RT @GSMAmAgri: RT @kiwanja: "The developing world is now more mobile than the developed world". http://t.co/XJORVf4v #m4d #ICT4D #innovation
MT: @GSMAmAgri @kiwanja: developing world now more mobile than developed world. http://t.co/Cqf0FteQ #informatics #anthropology #opengov
MT: @GSMAmAgri @kiwanja: developing world now more mobile than developed world. http://t.co/Cqf0FteQ #informatics #anthropology #opengov
Towards a Twitter Dashboard for the Humanitarian Cluster System http://t.co/tNMozlzM #twitter #globaldev
"The developing world is now more mobile than the developed world". http://t.co/wTU8EJll #m4d #ICT4D
Nice World Bank infographic breaks down a decade (well, nine years) of mobile for development. http://t.co/wTU8EJll #m4d #ICT4D
"The developing world is now more mobile than the developed world". http://t.co/wTU8EJll #m4d #ICT4D
"The developing world is now more mobile than the developed world". http://t.co/wTU8EJll #m4d #ICT4D
Wow! @sanamobile @openMRS @kiwanja: "The developing world is now more mobile than the developed world". http://t.co/N9XBt9Ko #m4d #ICT4D
"The developing world is now more mobile than the developed world". http://t.co/wTU8EJll #m4d #ICT4D
"Ironically, solid [M4D] data – even 10 yrs on – is still a little tricky to come by." well said, @kiwanja http://t.co/D7Zf5uiJ #m4d #ICT4D
"The pace at which mobile phones have spread globally is unmatched in the history of technology". http://t.co/wTU8EJll
RT @kiwanja: "The pace at which mobile phones have spread globally is unmatched in the history of technology". http://t.co/rKueAjbl
"The pace at which mobile phones have spread globally is unmatched in the history of technology". http://t.co/wTU8EJll
Wow! @sanamobile @openMRS @kiwanja: "The developing world is now more mobile than the developed world". http://t.co/N9XBt9Ko #m4d #ICT4D
RT @TopsyRT: In numbers: A decade of mobile http://t.co/8ubG1g4E
"The developing world is now more mobile than the developed world". http://t.co/wTU8EJll #m4d #ICT4D
Thanks Ken! Behind the scenes: http://t.co/XOhr0swd MT @kiwanja Nice WorldBank infographic breaks down a decade of #M4D http://t.co/DYo0jrHq
"The developing world is now more mobile than the developed world". http://t.co/kNGPHgGx #m4d #ICT4D (v @kiwanja)
"The pace at which mobile phones have spread globally is unmatched in the history of technology". http://t.co/wTU8EJll
Wow! @sanamobile @openMRS @kiwanja: "The developing world is now more mobile than the developed world". http://t.co/N9XBt9Ko #m4d #ICT4D
RT @kiwanja: Nice World Bank infographic breaks down a decade (well, nine years) of mobile for development. http://t.co/NK68DXyk #m4d #ICT4D
"The pace at which mobile phones have spread globally is unmatched in the history of technology". http://t.co/wTU8EJll
RT @kiwanja: Nice World Bank infographic breaks down a decade (well, nine years) of mobile for development. http://t.co/NK68DXyk #m4d #ICT4D
[...] See the original post: In numbers: A decade of mobile [...]
"The pace at which mobile phones have spread globally is unmatched in the history of technology". http://t.co/wTU8EJll
Interesting stats: http://t.co/WQMcyZj7
"The developing world is now more mobile than the developed world". http://t.co/wTU8EJll #m4d #ICT4D
"The developing world is now more mobile than the developed world". http://t.co/wTU8EJll #m4d #ICT4D
This pace at which mobile phones have spread globally is unmatched in the history of technology. Infographic http://t.co/gxxWIuZW
This pace at which mobile phones have spread globally is unmatched in the history of technology. Infographic http://t.co/gxxWIuZW
75% of the world now has access to a mobile phone — meaning over 6 billion phone subscriptions. http://t.co/gxxWIuZW
75% of the world now has access to a mobile phone — meaning over 6 billion phone subscriptions. http://t.co/gxxWIuZW
75% of the world now has access to a mobile phone — meaning over 6 billion phone subscriptions. http://t.co/gxxWIuZW
RT @kiwanja: Nice World Bank infographic breaks down a decade (well, nine years) of mobile for development. http://t.co/NK68DXyk #m4d #ICT4D
So true RT @kiwanja"The developing world is now more mobile than the developed world". http://t.co/AieOttz6 #m4d #ICT4D
This pace at which mobile phones have spread globally is unmatched in the history of technology. Infographic http://t.co/gxxWIuZW
Interesting infographics RT @kiwanja "The developing world is now more mobile than the developed world". http://t.co/M6Ilnc8o #m4d #ICT4D
75% of the world now has access to a mobile phone — meaning over 6 billion phone subscriptions. http://t.co/gxxWIuZW
75% of the world now has access to a mobile phone — meaning over 6 billion phone subscriptions. http://t.co/gxxWIuZW
So true RT @kiwanja"The developing world is now more mobile than the developed world". http://t.co/AieOttz6 #m4d #ICT4D
In numbers: A decade of #mobile + World Bank infographics http://t.co/Nu0zdtfg – @kiwanja v @thekopernik #ict
In numbers: A decade of #mobile + World Bank infographics http://t.co/Nu0zdtfg – @kiwanja v @thekopernik #ict
[...] January 2013 will be my ten year anniversary in mobiles for development. To say a lot has changed is something of an understatement. [...]
RT @kiwanja "The developing world is now more mobile than the developed world". http://t.co/oUydVTp3 #m4d #ICT4D
Mobile and development "RT @TopsyRT: In numbers: A decade of mobile" http://t.co/E8wXuaNO
Infographic: A Decade of Mobile http://t.co/aA5wBoqn
The cellphone revolution is unprecendented and still full of potential for developing world! @TopsyRT http://t.co/RgbLsUHi
The cellphone revolution is unprecendented and still full of potential for developing world! @TopsyRT http://t.co/RgbLsUHi
@kiwanja: spread of mobile outpaces all other tech developments in history + great WB infographic. Check it out http://t.co/oefVUez1 #m4d
The mobile revolution is right at the start of its growth curve http://t.co/mcaCvwco #mobile #app
Nice World Bank infographic breaks down a decade (well, nine years) of mobile for development. http://t.co/wTU8EJll #m4d #ICT4D
"The developing world is now more mobile than the developed world". http://t.co/wTU8EJll #m4d #ICT4D
"The developing world is now more mobile than the developed world". http://t.co/wTU8EJll #m4d #ICT4D
Mobile phones: an appropriate tool for conservation and development? http://t.co/mM4Jsks2 #m4d #ict4d
@kiwanja In numbers: A decade of mobile http://t.co/YTweFlPi #development #africa #mobilephones
@kiwanja has written a great blog post about his experience using #mobilephones for #development. Read it here: http://t.co/p5WnnX2v #africa
"The developing world in now more mobile than the developed world" – @kiwanja http://t.co/brsSdeik #m4d #ICT4D
"The developing world in now more mobile than the developed world" – @kiwanja http://t.co/brsSdeik #m4d #ICT4D
“@mondatoportal:"The developing world in now more mobile than the developed world" – @kiwanja http://t.co/KHrWfGMt #m4d #ICT4D” #mobilemoney
A jaw dropping decade of success. Mobile phone #infographic http://t.co/lOm7q78Q #m4d Report via @kiwanja http://t.co/tLswT7k2
A jaw dropping decade of success. Mobile phone #infographic http://t.co/lOm7q78Q #m4d Report via @kiwanja http://t.co/tLswT7k2
A jaw dropping decade of success. Mobile phone #infographic http://t.co/lOm7q78Q #m4d Report via @kiwanja http://t.co/tLswT7k2
A jaw dropping decade of success. Mobile phone #infographic http://t.co/7TUecDBW #m4d Report via @kiwanja http://t.co/A6v6GaNh"
A jaw dropping decade of success. Mobile phone #infographic http://t.co/lOm7q78Q #m4d Report via @kiwanja http://t.co/tLswT7k2
A jaw dropping decade of success. Mobile phone #infographic http://t.co/lOm7q78Q #m4d Report via @kiwanja http://t.co/tLswT7k2
A jaw dropping decade of success. Mobile phone #infographic http://t.co/lOm7q78Q #m4d Report via @kiwanja http://t.co/tLswT7k2
A jaw dropping decade of success. Mobile phone #infographic http://t.co/lOm7q78Q #m4d Report via @kiwanja http://t.co/tLswT7k2
A jaw dropping decade of success. Mobile phone #infographic http://t.co/lOm7q78Q #m4d Report via @kiwanja http://t.co/tLswT7k2
A jaw dropping decade of success. Mobile phone #infographic http://t.co/lOm7q78Q #m4d Report via @kiwanja http://t.co/tLswT7k2
A jaw dropping decade of success. Mobile phone #infographic http://t.co/lOm7q78Q #m4d Report via @kiwanja http://t.co/tLswT7k2
[...] (Via Build it, Kenny.) Originally Posted on Global Envision: http://www.globalenvision.org/2012/08/02/mobile-phones-jaw-dropping-decade-success-infographic Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like this. Categories Uncategorized [...]
In numbers: A decade of mobile http://t.co/5ehUgIVJ
In numbers: A decade of mobile http://t.co/5ehUgIVJ
In numbers: A decade of mobile http://t.co/shAkguDB
RT @TopsyRT: In numbers: A decade of mobile http://t.co/7krDQWH5
RT @kiwanja: Nice World Bank infographic breaks down a decade (well, nine years) of mobile for development. http://t.co/NK68DXyk #m4d #ICT4D
A jaw dropping decade of success. Mobile phone #infographic http://t.co/F2yAe3Ui #m4d Report via @kiwanja http://t.co/sf14NcFq
“@iDEorg: A jaw dropping decade of success. #Mobile phone #infographic http://t.co/IxcZQhZQ #m4d Report via @kiwanja http://t.co/CGv4vXi1”
“@iDEorg: A jaw dropping decade of success. #Mobile phone #infographic http://t.co/IxcZQhZQ #m4d Report via @kiwanja http://t.co/CGv4vXi1”
“@iDEorg: A jaw dropping decade of success. #Mobile phone #infographic http://t.co/IxcZQhZQ #m4d Report via @kiwanja http://t.co/CGv4vXi1”
Great infographic: A decade of #mobile http://t.co/j6E4Rlef #m4d #ict4d
Great infographic: A decade of #mobile http://t.co/j6E4Rlef #m4d #ict4d
Great infographic: A decade of #mobile http://t.co/j6E4Rlef #m4d #ict4d
In numbers: A decade of mobile | Build it Kenny, and they will come… http://t.co/wPOIsMj7 @kiwanja
Portable grid opportunity! "The number of mobile subscriptions will soon overtake the world's population." Infographic http://t.co/vM0FvpjX
Portable grid opportunity! "The number of mobile subscriptions will soon overtake the world's population." Infographic http://t.co/vM0FvpjX
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