Launch Event: New Book on How Mobile Phones are Changing Africa

JSI is pleased to host a launch event for a new book that explores how mobile phones are catalyzing a revolution in Africa. Russell Southwood’s Africa 2.0 – Inside a Continent’s Communications Revolution looks at the 35-year history of the impact of mobile and internet on sub-Saharan Africa.

RSVP now to join us in-person at JSI offices, 2733 Crystal Drive Suite 400 Arlington, VA, from 8:45-10:30 a.m. EDT on September 28, 2022 to engage and network with your fellow digital development practitioners. The event will include an in-person/online debate on how ubiquitous mobile phones and Internet access became the technological future of a continent. A light breakfast will be provided for those attending in person.

Africans using mobile phones are driving the largest social and economic developments of the last three decades. It is certainly the greatest technological change the continent has seen recently—even eclipsing Internet access, which arguably only has widespread impact because of the ubiquity of mobile devices.

The session on Wednesday, September 28 will explore:

• How mobile phones have changed African economies and societies.
• Where are new opportunities we can leverage?
• Who are the innovators and initiators we should know?
• What will Africa 3.0 look like and what’s needed to get there?

Southwood, a long-time African telecom analyst and CEO at Balancing Act, will be part of a lively in-person/online debate that will include:

• Caroline Muhwezi, U-Report Global Coordinator, UNICEF
• Ernest Ndukewe, Chairman Of The Board, MTN Nigeria
• Luke Kyohere, Chief Product Officer, MFS Africa
• Dr. Revi Sterling, Digital Inclusion Senior Technical Director, CARE
• Teddy Berihun, Director of Information Systems, Palladium
• Moderated by Jonathan Metzger, Director, Center for Digital Health at JSI

JSI is pioneering how to use data and digital to create better health outcomes for all. Across the globe, we work at the forefront of public health to transform the way health systems work through improved data practices and digital solutions — from understanding and elevating people’s needs, to creating and streamlining the products and services that meet those needs.

You can also RSVP to watch the online session via Zoom.

This unique event is brought to you by the JSI Center for Digital Health and the Balancing Act