Mobile technology can play an important role in terms of engagement with regards to the governance of the African continent, former South African president Thabo Mbeki said on Monday night.

Communications technology and services provider, Ericsson hosted its inaugural Africa Night event in Barcelona, Spain where Mbeki outlined the benefits of technology for the African Renaissance.

The event attracted African leaders in the ICT sector, as well as African and international telecoms service providers including Airtel, MTN, Unitel and Millicom.

Mbeki acknowledged that the use of mobile in Africa has increased and has benefitted sectors such as health, human resources, business and governance.

According to GSM Association (GSMA) estimates there are more than half a billion mobile connections on the African continent.

During his speech Mbeki noted that the adoption of mobile phones in Africa has helped health practitioners provide medical assistance in some of the most rural parts of the continent.

Mbeki referenced a specific incident where nurses at a rural clinic in South Africa used their mobile phones to link up with one of the big hospitals in the country to get necessary assistance to help patients.

He said that issues such as transport facilities in the health sector impacts on providing health services to all - however, with mobile access a lot can be accomplished.

"Mobile technology has intervened and is an important enabler to help us respond to some of the issues the country faces," said Mbeki.

The former president noted that mobile technology can also provide financial access to the poor, helping farm workers react to climate conditions, help the development of small medium businesses, and provide access to education.

He did note that weak infrastructure does impact the ability to adopt modern ICT's in many parts of Africa.