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

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

I heard yesterday at Chatham House that since its launch 3 months ago, MPesa has 150,000 customers, 430 agents signed up, $6,000,000 in transactions, and 2,500 signing up every day.