Businesswomen in developing countries face countless barriers on their path to economic and social empowerment. However, SMS on mobile phones can literally transform lives as it is a cost effective and efficient way to deliver information and skills to women entrepreneurs in rural areas. An evaluation of Business Women - a mobile service in Nigeria, Indonesia and Tanzania reaching over 100,000 subscribers - revealed the following:
- 90% of subscribers felt the service gave them "practical guidance" on making their businesses grow and "offered an inexpensive way to become better-informed businesswoman."
- 80% said that the service showed them how to find new customers.
- Over 67% said the service gave them pointers on how to find affordable and easily accessible credit options.