This study examined the contribution of mobile phones to rural livelihoods and poverty
reduction in Morogoro region, Tanzania. The study sample comprised of 310 households, 74
focus group participants and 22 key informants. Data were collected through questionnaire,
focus groups, and key informant interviews and were analyzed using SPSS and Nvivo. The
findings indicate that mobile phones contribute to reduce poverty and improve rural
livelihoods by expanding and strengthening social networks; increase people’s ability to deal
with emergencies; cut down travel costs; maximize the outcomes of necessary journeys;
increase temporal accessibility; and amplify efficiency of activities. The use of mobile
phones also reduces costs of doing business and increases productivity by helping rural
traders and farmers to secure better markets and prices; and promptly communicate businessrelated
information. Although they enabled rural communities to generate some income
through the sale of mobile phone services, the phones had not made important contribution in
this aspect. It is concluded that mobile phones contribute to improve rural livelihoods and
reduce poverty by providing rural households with fast and easy modes of communication,
thereby increasing their ability to access livelihood assets, undertake diverse livelihoods
strategies, and overcome their vulnerabilities.