Ericsson is set to open an Innovation Centre in sub-Saharan Africa, with three hubs in Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya.
The centre will be used to develop mobile applications that will benefit the continent with a special empahsis on the poor and rural populace.
Media reports said the initiative will focus on solutions in health, education, agriculture and small business development, and is another important step in Ericsson’s ongoing commitment to supporting the achievement of the UN’s Millennium Development Goals.
Jan Embro, president of Ericsson in sub-Saharan Africa, noted that more than 90 percent of new mobile subscriber growth will be in emerging markets.
His words: “Mobile communication significantly improves quality of life, providing the tools to deliver enormous socio-economic benefits to people in developing countries.
Connectivity helps to offset a lack of resources, particularly in rural areas, and provides access to a range of services, including education and healthcare.”
The annual growth rate in mobile subscribers in Africa in 2007 was more than 40 percent, with more than 80 million new subscribers
By ItnewsAfrica.com Reporter
