Wireless companies are looking to put in 3G networks in Africa despite poverty. Less than 10% of the country has telephone access (yes, telephone not mobile phone) so if these networks take off it could be extremely profitable.
It’s going to be interesting to see how this goes. It’s cheaper to wire the cities up with cell towers than to run communication cables to every home, but it’s going to be more expensive for the consumer.
There’s also the Joko Clubs, a chain of cybercafes in Africa started by Youssou N’dour to bring internet access to African communities.