Press Releases

MTN Uganda partners Google, Grameen Foundation to launch mobile information services

MTN Uganda, in partnership with Grameen Foundation and Google Search, has launched a suite of mobile phone applications which will provide instant information that was previously unavailable to Uganda's remote communities.

The mobile phone-based information service is expected to greatly rural communities by helping them to easily access vital data and advise on issues ranging from business, agriculture, health, environment, weather etc. thus improving their knowledge and providing an opportunity to improve their social welfare.

The introduction of the service is a culmination of an 18-month long field-based program in Uganda and an innovative partnership that strategically combines the resources of MTN, Grameen Foundation and Google. The five mobile phone applications provide real-time information in three domains: agriculture, health, and a virtual marketplace for buying and selling goods and services. The applications were developed by Grameen Foundation’s Application Laboratory (AppLab) and are powered by MTN on the Google SMS search platform.

ICT Minister, Hon. Aggrey Awori said he was happy to be associated with such innovative minds. “I believe that MTN, Grameen Foundation and Google have been energized by the fact that Uganda is a fast growing economy. My trust is that the people of Uganda shall emulate their example and come up with even better ideas."

MTN Uganda CEO, Themba Khumalo said that these services represent the first of what will be many initiatives reaching the segment of the Ugandan market that has been underserved for a long time. “Uganda is hungry for products that empower individuals and in doing so, giving the economy a welcome boost. The fact that in this instance, we have chosen key areas like agriculture, trade and health are reason enough for all to embrace this product,” Khumalo added citing Mobile Money as an example of a service that has been people driven.

The suite of five mobile applications includes Farmer’s Friend, a searchable database with both agricultural advice and targeted weather forecasts; Health Tips, which provides timely, relevant information on sexual and reproductive health, paired with a Clinic Directory, which enables people to locate nearby clinics; and Google Trader, which matches buyers and sellers of agricultural produce and commodities as well as other products.

The services are SMS-based and designed to work with basic mobile phones to reach the broadest possible audience. Users can access the services quickly and privately at the time of their choosing and search relevant content on-demand, like someone with access to the Internet.

AppLab Uganda, which is located in Kampala and directed by Grameen Foundation’s Technology Center, focuses on creating opportunities for poor people to share and access essential information through innovative uses of mobile phones which are in the hands of nearly four billion people around the world. The new services in Uganda can be accessed by existing Village Phone Operators (VPOs) who extend service to people without mobile phones as well as by people who have their own phones. VPOs and other trusted intermediaries serve as a bridge between communities who lack access to essential information and the sources that can provide it.

“AppLab is a great example of innovation from and for the base of the pyramid, bringing relevant, actionable information to communities where the Internet is unknown,” said Alex Counts, President of Grameen Foundation. “Through an approach including sector research, field-based rapid prototyping, extensive interaction with target users and carefully structured field pilots, we have been able to gain real learning from the people who benefit directly from using these applications. We are very excited to take the next big step – going from an innovative product development approach to scaling proven and sustainable applications across Uganda.”

The information in the applications was developed in collaboration with key local partners. The Uganda Department of Meteorology provides daily updates for the weather application. The Busoga Rural Open Source Development Initiative (BRODSI) provides locally-relevant and actionable agricultural information created and tested by small-holder farmers and designed to meet their needs. For the health application, AppLab works with Marie Stopes Uganda, the local affiliate of a leading service provider for sexual and reproductive health, and Straight Talk Foundation, a Ugandan NGO which specializes in health communication.

Using the Google Trader application, local buyers and sellers, such as small-holder farmers, are able to broaden their trading networks and reduce their transaction costs. AppLab worked with Technoserve to hone the concept with banana farmers in southern Uganda (Mbarara region).

“These sustainable and scalable models put critical information and knowledge directly into the hands of poor people with access to mobile devices in an effort to further alleviate poverty,” said Joseph Mucheru, Google’s lead for Sub-Saharan Africa. “This work has significance to both individuals and to the broader economy of this emerging region.”

Alex Counts, President of Grameen Foundation concluded “With the nationwide launch, AppLab will also conduct a social assessment to determine how effectively its health application is able to change the knowledge, attitudes and behavior of those who use the service."

Looking ahead, the Grameen Foundation Application Laboratory will continue to develop applications and related services tailored to the needs of poor communities. It will work on a project basis with technology partners such as Google as well as NGOs and government entities to develop new applications and innovative services for the poor in Uganda and beyond.