Why won't we see Mxit in the Developed Countries? Interestingly this is one of those technologies that has an easy fit to Africa even though it may never gain traction in developed countries.

• SMS costs nothing

The format of books is changing. As the emerging technologies converge, so too the way the world handles written text is also converging. This will affect three arenas of development – research policy communication; children’s education; and adult learning.

A new technology has crept onto the African scene that has enabled a step change in the way that the poor can access and share information. This concept note outlines why we believe that Instant Messaging (IM) through services such as Mxit can make a significant difference to the provision and impact of information services. It proposes a programme of action research

Met with Research into Use, who are conducting a multi million pound programme for DFID on Natural Resources and Livelihoods.  The short version seems to be, DFID spent 200+ Million over the last 30 years on research in Natural Resources, this resulted in 2800 projects.  3 years ago they considered enough was enough and reassessed what they were doing.  They noted that the important bit was to get the research used.  So they have committed 35+ million to the next 3 (or 4?)