Cash and monetary aid are not the only useful investment tools in Africa. In 10 African nations, a movement is under way to bring mobile phones and handsets to the population. In a world where the computer had at one time been critical for globalization, the heads of the African nations are striving instead to use mobile communication for progress. The mobile phones will bring communication, raise standards of awareness, and allow citizens to have knowledge of the world around them.

Mobile phones are quickly becoming the number one asset to many countries in Africa. The GSM Association, which is a global trade association, and the Connect Africa summit that is meeting currently in Rwanda, is announcing an investment of $50 billion in mobile phones and technology infrastructure for Africa.

Why exactly are mobile phones such an important part of the changing times in Africa? Mobile phones are incredible versatile. Students use their mobile phones to check course schedules, get assignments, and turn in their work for college courses – all without having to travel hundreds of miles to school and leave home. Mothers are able to phone doctors to describe symptoms in their children, perhaps saving them a trip to costly hospitals. Farmers can check prices on their produce in other areas by making a simple phone call, before they set prices on their own produce and risk setting them too low or too high. In regions where televisions and computers are few and far between, people can call each other with news, warnings, and other information that can help to save lives. Mobile phone technology is hard at work in many different areas in Africa, and it will only get better as time continues.

Being in touch with the entire world is the goal of the groups, which have already spent billions creating phone networks. Currently, 70% of Africa is covered with mobile phone technology. After the investment, that number will rise to 90 %. This will allow even more of the population to have access to phones, information, and a connection with the rest of the continent and world. With better communication comes a rise in GDP, a general increase in attitudes, and an overall feeling of being connected to the world. The GSM Association and Connect Africa Summit will work together to bring the investment funds to Africa that will connect the continent via mobile phone technology.