Over the last several months the French, Hausa, Swahili and Zimbabwe services implemented an SMS initiative that brings Africa Division news alerts to Africa’s fast growing mobile consumer market. In the span of several months the services attracted more than 250,000 subscribers with minimal promotion. Unfortunately, the SMS provider encountered financial problems and has curtailed its relationship with the VOA. The Africa Division is now in the process of vetting several companies with a competitive presence in key regions -- Hausa-speaking Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, East Africa and Zimbabwe. While this transition was unforeseen, working with regional companies that have experience in the sub-Saharan market will benefit the Africa Division’s strategic mobile goals and its subscribers over the long term. Messaging service is expected to resume within a few weeks, deployed first in Tanzania and the DRC, followed by the remaining key regions.