Mobile phone use in Africa is growing faster than anywhere else in the world, according to a report. Small businesses in South Africa rely on mobiles, the report said, while Nigeria's market is doubling annually. Africa has 5000% of growth between 1998 and 2003.

The report also said:

• More than 85% of small businesses run by black people, surveyed in South Africa, rely solely on mobile phones for telecommunications.
• 62% of businesses in South Africa, and 59% in Egypt, said mobile use was linked to an increase in profits - despite higher call costs.
• 97% of people surveyed in Tanzania said they could access a mobile phone, while just 28% could access a land line phone.
• A developing country which has an average of 10 more mobile phones per 100 population between 1996 and 2003 had 0.59% higher GDP growth than an otherwise identical country.

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