Washington Post examines how mobile technologies are transforming remote parts of Africa

The Washington Post examines how new mobile applications are transforming remote parts of Africa. "Across sub-Saharan Africa, technology, particularly mobile technology, has transformed the lives of digital-savvy entrepreneurs," the newspaper writes, adding, "While many are forging successful high-tech businesses in urban centers, others are finding ways to help people ... prosper in more traditional, low-tech professions such as farming and fishing. Digital tools are also being used to overcome the continent's obstacles to growth, such as corruption and weak health care, social services and education." The newspaper highlights a number of mobile apps, including a text messaging service called iCow, which provides farmers with alerts on "feeding schedules, on when to expect their cows to be in heat or on disease outbreaks"; M-PESA, a cellphone-based money transfer service in Kenya; and "Maisha, an app that helps pregnant women and first-time mothers with the health of their children" (Raghavan, 3/31).