MobileMonday Global

^{Health data survey tool and Village Connection initiative} Nokia strengthens commitment to the African region

At the EU-Africa Business Forum held in Accra, Ghana Nokia Siemens Networks and Nokia reiterated the companies' commitment and strategic direction in the African region.

Organized by the European Commission and the African Union under the patronage of Louis Michel, the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, the Forum continues the dialogue between businesses and governments on the socioeconomic impact of corporate activities in the development and lives of Africans.

Participants in this year's summit include the African Union, African telecommunications ministries and national regulators.

In the Forum, Nokia showcases a mobile health data survey tool that has been developed with the University of Nairobi and other partners. This type of application can have huge potential in addressing, for example, outbreaks of diseases, offering benefits to governments and aid agencies.

Nokia and Nokia Siemens Networks also present the Village Connection solution at the event. Village Connection offers an easy concept to build rural connectivity village by village, enabling an innovative franchise-based business model between an operator and local village entrepreneurs. The solution helps provide affordable telecommunications services in rural communities, thus boosting economic development.

"Telecommunications infrastructure plays a crucial role in the overall economic development of nations. Further developing telecommunications systems not only helps grow businesses, but also has great potential to help improve basic life needs such as health care and education. It can also ease access to banking services including micro-payments, and makes access to information easier, thus enabling people to take part in decision-making and development of the communities," says Antti Räikkönen, Head of Strategy, Southern Africa, Nokia Siemens Networks, who is co-chair of the Inter-connectivity working group in the Forum.

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