This article is part of a weeklong series analyzing how mobile technology is affecting politics, business, and well-being.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — From its use in farming to banking, mobile technology is changing many lives in Africa — fast. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of households in 23 countries in sub-Saharan Africa had at least one mobile phone in 2013, with median growth of 27% since 2008 and median annual growth of 5%. But in countries such as Zimbabwe, growth has far outpaced the average, rising from 26% of households in 2008 to 80% in 2013, and 9% annually. Read more