Africa has almost 300 million mobile phone subscribers, with a penetration rate fast approaching 30%. That has led to what Ken Banks calls the “grassroots mobile revolution.” Ken is an anthropologist who has spent the last 15 years working on projects in Africa, specializing in mobile technology and its use in the developing world.
Nora will interview Ken on Monday. They’ll talk about design and innovation, informal businesses built on the back of the cell phone industry, and how mobiles can be used for development work. Do you have a question for Ken? Leave it in the comments below.
You can find more on Ken and his work at kiwanja.net, and in his recent photo essay Africa’s grassroots mobile revolution – a traveller’s perspective.
Original photo from kiwanja.net
Hi,
I’m interested in knowing what Ken believes are the biggest barriers to grassroots development in the African countries he’s worked in.
Thanks.
Barb I think that can be easily answered, it’s very likely the same problem that rears up everywhere – a clash between politics, bureaucracy and globalization.