Years ago, red and white Coke bottles were the constant in Africa – a symbol of prosperity and connection with the outside world. Now that symbol is mobile phones, which are saving lives from malaria across the continent.

In Cameroon, one example of this is the NightWatch program, K.O. Palu. Africa’s leading telecommunications provider MTN is targeting 5 million of its subscribers with regular bed net reminders via text message. The messages read: It’s 9 o’clock. Protect you and your family from malaria. Remember to sleep under your mosquito nets tonight. Sleep peacefully. Messages are signed by African superstars like singers Akon and Youssou NDour. These messages are rolling out now – to coincide with the government’s 8.7 million mosquito net distribution. In Ghana, another example of this is Hershey’s enhancements of its CocoaLink mobile phone network.

Last week, Hershey announced that its CocoaLink partners will include malaria prevention messages in its ongoing series of SMS texts to 2,500 cocoa farmers. Text messages will look similar to the NightWatch messages and warn farmers of the dangers of the disease – missing work from malaria means a decrease in productivity and less money for their families.

Continue to check back on our blog to get updates on the impact of these programs.