An article by HASH at White African called Think Different: Africa’s Technology Gap got me thinking about the ways that the digital divide is not as wide in Africa as we might assume. Mobile phones are a perfect platform for Africans to get on the Cyber-Highway.

Mobility

One way that mobile phones distinctly connect with African culture is their mobility. Africans are on the move. Well, I take that back. I have seen a guy sitting on a log in the morning and still found him sitting there in the evening, but there are a lot of Africans on the move. Relating to data by being tied to a desk all day is not the way things work around here.

Sociability

If my neighbor has a phone, I have a phone. Your phone number can be shared by everyone in your neighborhood. So mobile phones actually lead to strengthened social ties by creating a new form of indebtedness. Not to mention that you can keep in better contact with your family in far away places.

Datability

OK, I made that word up. But Africans do use mobile phones to access electronic data. SMS is a stripped down form of email. Liga-me! is akin to a pager. Your phone beeps and all it says is “Call me!” Most Africans I know can’t resist calling. What if someone is sick?!?

Here in Mozambique, mCel clients can access LAM flight schedules, get jokes, riddles and horoscopes and even find out about tides and Muslim prayer schedules. All of that by sending a code to 821010. That’s data on demand and it’s just a step away from Google searches. TV and Radio are increasingly using  SMS for interaction with their audiences. In Uganda you can request Bible verses. In South Africa you can submit classified ads.