World's poor & technology
Two questions first for which I definitely expect a wrong answer from most of you (at least I answered wrongly !).
Which technology has had the most impact on the world's poor & their economic growth ?
No, its not PC, but the ubiquitous mobile phones.
Which is the fastest growing mobile phone market in the world ?
No, its not Asia , but Africa.
The Economist in an article claims that the mobile phones have had the most profound impact in erasing poverty and in achieving economic growth. The challenge however is in making affordable phones for the poor. The Grameen Phone services in Bangladesh & initiatives such as TeNet in India have realized the " Fortune at the bottom of the Pyramid" (Courtesy : Prof. C.K.Prahalad) and are doing profitable businesses catering to the rural poor and at the same time uplifting millions of people out of their poverty.
"Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime”
Two questions first for which I definitely expect a wrong answer from most of you (at least I answered wrongly !).
Which technology has had the most impact on the world's poor & their economic growth ?
No, its not PC, but the ubiquitous mobile phones.
Which is the fastest growing mobile phone market in the world ?
No, its not Asia , but Africa.
The Economist in an article claims that the mobile phones have had the most profound impact in erasing poverty and in achieving economic growth. The challenge however is in making affordable phones for the poor. The Grameen Phone services in Bangladesh & initiatives such as TeNet in India have realized the " Fortune at the bottom of the Pyramid" (Courtesy : Prof. C.K.Prahalad) and are doing profitable businesses catering to the rural poor and at the same time uplifting millions of people out of their poverty.
"Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime”
posted by Cogito at
Sunday, September 04, 2005
3 Comments:
I was surprised about Africa.!!
Hats off to TeNet and their ventures.!
Nice post Sir.!
By
Narayanan Venkitu, at 4:07 PM
However, I still feel getting enough disposable income into the hands of the poor is the challenge. While cellphone prices have dropped and more and more people are able to afford it,the percapita incomes in India and Africa are still pathetic! So message to powers that be: more attention on roti/kapda/makan pls, cell phones will follow.
By
Abhishek Chatterjee, at 5:38 PM
remember reading this in the July edition, Cogito....
eventhough it is a long way to go, it is picking up speedily, I agree.
By
Ram C, at 10:07 AM
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