Private Sector & Development #4 - What are the economic and social impacts of the mobile phone sector in developing countries?

In most South countries, the mobile phone sector has developed – under the impetus and supervision of public regulatory authorities – via the private sector. A considerable number of developing countries have seen a remarkably rapid establishment of mobile phone networks; for example, over the past four years Africa has recorded an average annual growth rate in the number of subscribers of over 40%. This success – in a context where the share of available income for these new services would appear limited – demonstrates that the right model is being implemented and, more generally, it bears witness to the dynamism of Africa’s domestic market.