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Some Good News Corner

Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) represent a way for developing world nations to foster economic development, improve levels of education and training, as well as address gender issues within society. Mobile technology offers extensive help on various forms of social and economic development. Wireless communications broaden access to information, improve capital access, overcome geographic limitations, and expand market access.

Mobile developers have recently deployed mobile banking systems in Kenya and Malawi for populations that do not have access to bank branches. The mobile system lets users deposit, transfer and withdraw funds via simple text messaging, bringing convenience to communities who lack the infrastructure and know-how to access financial services and systems. The popularity of the mobile system as a banking option has risen at an astonishing rate since its introduction in 2007. It is found that 38 percent of Kenyan households have at least one M-PESA user in them whereas only 22 percent of adults have bank accounts. Groups as diverse as farmers and children sending money back to their parents were utilizing M-PESA; a powerful demonstration of how mobile technology can effect social and economic changes in the developing world..