Nearly half a million people, described by the UN as “the poorest of the poor”, will soon be able to make mobile calls.As part of a UN programme to tackle poverty in rural Africa, 79 villages across 10 African countries will be hooked up to cellular networks.It is hoped that the connections will help improve healthcare and education, as well as boosting the local economy.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6986804.stmAlso see:

Nokia Confident of Growth in African Continent’s Telephony

Sale of mobile phones in Africa and Middle East is set to more than double in the next three years, a handsets maker has said. The rise is expected to be bolstered by expansion of local and regional economies and more service providers rolling out networks across the region.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200709110299.html