This Thursday at Change, Sylvain Cibangu will be discussing his upcoming research on the contributions of cell phones to development in Africa. The last few decades, cell phones have been making unprecedented advances in developing countries. To this end, extensive literature has shown cell phones to enhance economic development in Africa (Touré, 2007; Jagun, 2007; Vodafone, 2005). On the one hand, the spread of cell phones clashes with increasing poverty on the African continent (ITU, 2009; World Bank, 2009; Sibanda, 2009). On the other hand, research reveals that there is little systematic evidence concerning cell phones effects on individuals in developing countries (Lee et al., 2008; Duncombe, 2009; Gao & Rafiq, 2009). This research project investigates the link between cell phones and economic development in Africa. The research question is, how can cell phones contribute to development in rural areas of Africa? For focus purposes, the project zeroes in on cell phones effects for corn production in the Congo. In fact, because of its yield efficiency, corn has proved to be not only a food commodity, but a powerful economic enabler in Africa (Mukhwana, 2009a, 2009b). The project suggests ways in which cell phones can boost corn production in the Congo. The project uses (Zhang & Benjamin, 2007; Larson, 2004, 2005) Information Model (iModel), to engage cell phones, information, and people in cell phone driven development. Cell phone and corn crop research has given little attention to iModel (Tollens, 2003, 2004; Donner, 2008). It means that iModel raises questions such as who are the users or what information do corn growers seek? More to the point, unlike the Negroponte (1991) model that advocates a computer per child, in this case, a cell phone per Congolese, the present project combines iModel with Human Capabilities framework (Sen, 1999, 1985), to provide rural users with choices and freedoms to go about the basic needs (e.g., shelter, water, food, clothing, and health). The project offers information science not only rural users’ information needs and uses, but their capabilities. The project’s thesis implies that the more cell phones, information, and users are involved in corn production, the greater people’s capabilities. What: Sylvain Cibangu on Contributions of Cell Phones to Development in Africa When: Thursday, December 10 at Noon Where: UW, Paul Allen Center, Room 403