Recent estimates indicate that information and communications technologies (ICTs) could be accessible to everyone by 2015. We are witnessing a new wave of democratization of access to innovative ICT channels, propelled by state-of-the-art technologies and diminishing barriers to entry.

The primer provides many examples of how mobile technologies are enhancing human development while at the same time highlighting the limitations that ICTs can have in that regard especially when they are taken as an end in themselves.  The primer also showcases the increasing importance of local innovation and South-South cooperation.

By looking at basic concepts, current trends and real life examples, this publication intends to shed light on how development practitioners can harness the potential of mobile technologies to improve development outputs and outcomes at the country level.