Aid 20

Four in every five mobile connections across the globe are currently made in the developing world.

It’s an incredible statistic, and only one of many more like it.

Advances in technology are already having profound social consequences in developing countries, especially amongst oppressed groups, and in remote areas.

But for international development, an industry which revolves around education and human support, is technology the way forward?

In July 2011, as the world looked to the Horn of Africa and witnessed the horrific effects of drought and shortage of food, I travelled to Ethiopia and Kenya. I spoke to farmers and members of the development community in an effort to find out how mobile communications are affecting their lives and their businesses.

First to Ethiopia. I drove out of busy, dusty Addis Ababa and into the country to meet farmers who are starting to explore the many uses of their mobile phones.

On then to Kenya. A country where mobile phone technologies are progressing on an unprecendented scale. In the far west, I visited farming projects to see how development organisations are starting to use phones for delivering aid. In Nairobi, I discuss possibilities for the future.

You can follow every step of my project, watch, hear and see my reports, here on my website.

Aid20 is funded and supported by One World Media and University College Falmouth.

All images copyright Clare Salisbury 2011