I suppose we can now officially thank government policies in African countries for their failure to expand fixed lines, leading to a projected 22% increase in mobile phone subscribers. 330 million people will own a phone in Africa, in 2008.

E-Governance is a term that has been loosely floating around, slightly misunderstood and highly underestimated. It refers to the use of internet technology as a platform for exchanging information, providing services and transacting with citizens, businesses, and other arms of government (Wikipedia). Basically, we would be facilitating 2-way communication between a government and its citizens using technology, a new philosophy that threatens to reinstitute a government by the people for the people (Like it was supposed to be).

E-Governance cannot exist without internet access - or can it? The same government forces that inadvertently choked land-lines, also cast their noose around internet access bottle-necking it into a snarled jam. For most Africans, getting online is just not worth all the trouble.

All hope was almost lost, when Mobile devices caught on like a wild-fire. These devices will enable new growth markets to leap-frog obstacles developed countries have had to overcome. While multi-media has always perceived to be the future, the real power lies in Text Messaging… 160 characters that will change everything and have major ramifications on public policy.

Here are just a few things for you to think about:

• Disaster & Crisis Alerts (Ushahidi)
• Health camps/vaccination Alerts
• E-Learning in Rural Areas
• E-Transactions (M-Pesa)
• Public Service Complaints about Service
• Employment Alerts
• Communication between health workers to help diagnose and prescribe
• … the list goes on

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I’m going to contradict myself here - I criticized the iPhone before it launched, but as soon as I laid my hands on it, all I could think of was ‘Eureka!’. My friend Hash at the White African blog has been preaching  mobile computing in Africa for quite a while now, but none of us could have seen this coming. indulge me for a moment…

Phones are the prevalent computing devices in Africa, but they have numerous drawbacks (a ball and chain if you will):

• There are so many types of phones and mobile operating systems that developing software for them is extremely arduous
• The WAP Protocol (Protocol that allows online access on phones) serves up multimedialess web pages that offer little or no interaction
• Developing websites for mobile phones is a resource hog, in terms of labor

I could go on, but I think you get the picture. The iPhone on the other hand gives us the one thing that has become standard across all computers - a true web browser. The real magnitude of this will unravel in coming years. We have come to depend heavily on the web browser for work and play, and having one on your hip means we’re set to become an ‘always on, always connected’ society. Imagine checking your email, reading news, monitoring stocks and viewing FaceBook or MySpace without the need for special software! I suspect by now you see where I’m headed with this.

The device still has an exorbitant price tag, but this is sure to come down. Either way, a standard has been set, and other companies are sure to follow. More later…

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Africa is truly a continent of insoluble contradictions. Zimbabwe's largest mobile operator, Econet has introduced 3G (Third Generation) cellular service to the capital - Harare. So far there are only 2 other countries offering the service on the continent, South Africa and Mauritius. Full trials of the 3G network start next month (June) and will allow customers to watch video on their cell phones.

In other news, Zimbabwe is projected to have a 6000 percent inflation by the end of 2008. It looks like Mugabe cannot and will not stop the tide of capitalism. Econet, founded by Strive Masiyiwa is also planning a launch in Auckland, New Zealand.

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Every enthusiast needs a skeptic around to keep them balanced. The power of positive thinking is immense—but so is its capacity for error, unless you take the time to answer the skeptics before committing yourself.

That said… I'll get to my point. The 'Cell Phones Are The Future' statement is very heavily clichéd at this point. It is said that the mobile phone is the one pervasive device that has penetrated some of the poorest economies due to the overwhelming demand for any form of telecommunications. Sure, but If you're an entrepreneur thinking of leveraging this mobile platform, consider the following:

• The mobile phone companies have invested billions in notoriously difficult economies in Africa and are currently raking in sweet profits. Trust me, they're not about to share the loot with just anyone after pouring blood and sweat into the current infrastructure. The barriers to entry are extremely high at this point… and I'm almost tempted to say that the current companies have ganged up in a cartel-like structure to protect themselves.

• Africa is the wild west. Interoperability issues are sure to be a big problem especially where m-commerce is concerned. Interoperability aside, I can't even begin to fathom the imminent fraud quandary.

• Seriously - all cell phones are good for at this point is calling and sending text messages. Outside the cell phone companies, the only other people cashing in are selling ringtones and graphics. Beyond that we have very few early adopters willing to try anything else.

Many of the new startups are spending ridiculous amounts of money on impractical schemes. Is anyone even studying the habits of the end user to determine if all this is necessary? Someone will make plenty of $$$$ down the road, but until then there will be plenty of burnouts on the side of the road.

I'm sorry for the pessimistic view, but that's just my 2 cents.

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Safaricom, Kenya's most profitable company has launched a major disruptor… M-PESA is a new money transfer service in which ordinary SMS (text messaging) is used to initiate a transfer. Kenyans will deposit or access the money through Safaricom agents like supermarkets or shops situated all over the country. They can can then send money to other mobile phone users via SMS even if they're not Safaricom subscribers.

Only Safaricom subscribers can send M-PESA, but anyone who can receive an sms can receive money by MPESA. Customers do not need to have a bank account to benefit from M-PESA services. 

This service is the first of its kind in the world, and frankly I'm quite surprised (and pleased) Kenya was the country chosen to test such an innovative new idea. I call this a disruptor, because it could have a major impact on traditional money transfer services like Western Union, Moneygram and the newly launched PostaPay.

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Those who know me well know that voicemail has always been my achilles heel. I've found it to be practically impossible to keep up with, and made many enemies in the process. Over the last month I've had the privilege to beta test a new service that has freed me from this seemingly inescapable bondage.

Spinvox turns your voicemails into text and sends them to your mobile phone or email inbox. I can now read my voicemails quickly on-screen while at a meeting or having a drink somewhere. I cannot put into words just how fantastically useful this service is. I've even tested it out with a variety of accents, and it hasn't failed me so far. Well… I take that back - on one occasion it did spell my name as Colby instead of Kobia.

This service has been primarily targeted to UK residents and is now in beta in the US. Their pricing plans are somewhat awkward as they charge by number of conversions. Some might consider their pay-per-use model better than a flat subscription fee though.

Either way, it has earned two thumbs up from me.

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The general consensus is that cell phones are central to bridging the digital divide. Watch below:

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