MobileActive.org

This paper examines the extent to which users in emerging economies innovate, and whether these innovations are meaningful on a global stage. To study this issue, we conducted an empirical investigation into the origin and types of innovations in financial services offered via mobile phones, a global, multi-billion dollar industry where emerging economies play an important role. We used the complete list of mobile financial services, as reported by the GSM Association (GSMA), and collected detailed histories of the development of the services and their innovation process. Our analysis shows that 85% of the innovations in this field originated in emerging markets. We also conclude that at least 50% of all mobile financial services were pioneered by users, approximately 45% by producers, and 5% jointly by users and producers. Additionally, services developed by users diffused at more than double the rate of producer-innovations. Finally, we observe that three-quarters of the innovations that originated in emerging markets have already diffused to OECD countries and that the (user) innovations are therefore globally meaningful.

Music making and distribution is a large scale phenomenon in urban informal settlements in Africa. The talent, vision and passion of the musicians living in the African slums would be appreciated by the music lovers around the world if only the artists had a chance to practice as well as possibilities for recording and sharing. Furthermore this would contribute significantly to livelihoods of the people living in the slums and to economic development of Africa as a whole given the estimates of the contribution that the informal music industry is already making.

The obstacles discussed we believe can partly be overcome by creative thinking and new technology and we hope that this report works as a source of knowledge and inspiration for researchers and developers to develop meaningful services and support mechanisms for young musicians living in the slums around the world.

Use of information and communication technologies for international development is moving
to its next phase. This will require new technologies, new approaches to innovation, new
intellectual integration, and, above all, a new view of the world’s poor. The phase change from information and communication
technologies for international
development (ICT4D) 1.0 to ICT4D 2.0 presents
opportunities for informatics professionals
and offers new markets for ICT vendors.
It also brings new challenges to our established methods
of working and emphasizes the need for new expertise
and new worldviews. Harnessing digital technologies in
the service of some of our world’s most severe problems
requires understanding these changes. Before proceeding,
though, we must ask why we should give priority to
ICT application for the poor in developing countries.