mpesa
Posted by AnneryanHeatwole on Nov 11, 2010
The Mobile Minute is here to bring you coverage on the rise of smartphone sales around the world, a crop insurance plan in Kenya that uses mobiles to process claims and distribute money, the effect of the 2010 U.S. elections on PBS' mobile web and app usage rates, a pilot in Zambia that uses SMS to rapidly transmit HIV test results between rural clinics and hospitals, and mGive's new mobile donation options.
Posted by MohiniBhavsar on Jul 27, 2010
The Innovative Use of Mobile Applications in East Africa data sheet 3411 Views
Author:
Johan, Hellstrom; Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency
Abstract:
The Swedish International Development and Cooperation Agency (Sida) recently published a report that gives an overview of the current state of mobile phone applications for social and economic developments in East Africa. Drawing on successful adoption of mobile applications in the Philippines, this Sida report seeks to answer “what hinders the take off of m-applications for development in East Africa and what role donors play in the process.” While mobile phones is the one of the most widely accessible gateways for information in East Africa, with mobile penetration covering over 40% of the population, sustainable, scalable mobile services for social and economic development are limited. The report is supported by secondary data, statistics, and field work carried out in Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania, along with numerous interviews, meetings and discussions with key stakeholders in East Africa. Major trends in mobile usage, barriers for increased use of m-applications, as well as opportunities for scaling are discussed.
Posted by AnneryanHeatwole on Nov 10, 2009
Surviving in the ‘Dual System’: How M‐PESA is Fostering Urban to Rural Remittances in a Kenyan Slum data sheet 3052 Views
Abstract:
The ‘dual system’ thesis has been used to describe the continuing commitment of urban migrants to the village in various African countries. According to literature, urban workers maintain strong ties with the rural area, even after spending a substantial amount of time in the city. One way in which these ties are maintained is through urban‐to‐rural remittances.
In March of 2007, an m‐banking application called M‐PESA was introduced into the Kenyan market. This application allows for person‐to‐person (P2P) transfers of e-money via mobile phone, and facilitates urban‐to‐rural remittances. This study will use ethnographic data collected in a Kenyan slum to show that M‐PESA is becoming a tool for the maintenance of urban-rural relations. It will further assert that because it is helping migrants to maintain such relations, it is facilitating survival in the ‘dual system’.
Posted by sharakarasic on Oct 28, 2008
On the first day of MobileActive ’08 in Johannesburg, I attended "M-Banking and M-Payments for Social Impact", with Jonathan Donner, Tonny Omwansa, Jesse Moore, Brian Richardson, and Alex Comninos presenting to a packed room. The session gave an overview of m-banking (mobile banking) and m-payments (mobile payments), including specific mobile banking solutions such as M-PESA and Wizzit.
Brian Richardson, the CEO of Wizzit, began by stressing that mobile banking is becoming more and more common in African countries. In South Africa, more than 11 million people live with cash only. 600 million in Africa don’t have access to basic financial services because of affordability, accessibility, and availability. Without access to basic financial services, it’s hard to be an economic citizen.
