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RESEARCH PRODUCT

“If you take away my phone, you take away my life...” Community Narratives about the Social Implications of Mobile phone Usage for Livelihood Security

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Smallholder farmers in developing regions like sub-Saharan Africa still grapple with development challenges like poverty, illiteracy, food insecurity, poor infrastructures like roads and limited access to learning opportunities. Moreover, amidst all these challenges, these possess mobile phones as they continuously engage in diverse livelihood activities. Echoed in previous research, mobile phones are the most diffused technologies available in many rural communities. Yet, most mobile technological interventions are urban-based projects neglecting rural locales in harnessing mobile phone usage. More so, mobile for development research uses quantitative methods which limits proper interrogation of real perceived social implications of mobile phones for livelihoods. Thus, this study, with a more qualitative approach, seeks to understand community narratives about the social implications of mobile phone usage for livelihood security. Findings suggest the increased penetration of small end phones, with few smartphones. Noticeable social benefits include improved communication, financial inclusion, employment opportunities, increased business and market opportunities, increased access to information sharing and improved literacy practices. Conclusively, access to learning on mobile phones was an outstanding social benefit, amidst the presence of negative and dissenting voices about mobile phone use, fully embedded in cultural and religious beliefs within societies.