Connect Africa has always had a strong presence in Mumbwa in Zambia’s central province. Our regional coordinator Lloyd Kabulwebulwe is traditionally based here. But the opening of our new offices cements our relationship with our colleagues in and around this remote area and illustrates our commitment to servicing deep rural Africa.

The office was a hub of activity last week. Vendors, eager to become part of a new electronic money transfer scheme revolutionising the way we send and receive money across Africa, gathered to lean how to operate and make a profit from the advances in technology.

We look forward to more updates from the Mumbwa team, already making a huge difference to inform the local population about the benefits of being connected. Take the story of Victor Chinda for example.

He heard about Connect Africa back in 2008, when community pay phones caught his attention. Their popularity as a cheaper and more accessible form of communication for the majority, was being piloted by Connect Africa. “There was no mobile phone network back then,” he said, and these satellite phones provided a vital service.

He decided to buy his own community pay phone in 2010. “I am a farmer, and it was useful to have a source of income while waiting for maize, soya beans or paprika to shoot up,” he said. “The coming of other new initiatives like electronic mobile phone top-ups or money transfers will boost our income and is very helpful,” he notes.

“In the village, how do you inform people? We used to write letters or travel long distances to notify people about a funeral for example. Things improved and it is easier for us to keep informed.”

Since the first days of community pay phones, it turns out that demand for communication technology and mobile phones in particular is big. That demand has driven a much bigger presence by the major mobile networks, and in turn, better network provisions in the area.