Internet.org reveals Africa challenge winners
THE FACEBOOK-LED initiative Internet.org announced yesterday the winners of the Innovation Challenge in Africa awards, describing them as “leading examples of ideas, apps, websites and/or online services that provide real value in the categories of education and economic empowerment”.
A statement from the initiative, which seeks to bring together technology leaders, non-profit organisations and local communities to connect the two-thirds of the world’s population who do not yet have internet access, noted that 28 percent of the population of Africa had internet access.
“We need to help people understand the possibilities available to them online. Each of the submissions we received has a part in creating a more connected world,” it added.
The leading app, website, service or idea that best meets the needs in two categories, Education and Economic Empowerment, won $150 000 (R2 million). There were also two $50 000 impact awards for each category.
In the Education category, the Innovation Challenge Award Winner was Esoko, a Ghanaian web and mobile app that makes it easier for businesses, governments, NGOs and others to connect with farmers.
In the Economic Empowerment category, the Innovation Challenge Award Winner was South Africa’s Hyperion Development, which built an online course platform for computer science education.
The statement from Internet.org added that Hyperion Development allowed anyone to take online courses in coding with a personal computer or cellphone, even without a broadband connection.
In the Education category, Impact Awards were given to mPedigree Goldkeys from Ghana and Nigeria’s SaferMom. mPedigree Goldkeys is an anti-counterfeiting, tracking and tracing solution that uses consumers’ cellphones as a verification tool.
SaferMom provides pregnant women and new mothers with simple tools via SMS, voice services and its mobile app to help them make informed health decisions. It is available in English, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo and a pidgin.
In Economic Empowerment, Impact Awards went to Ghana’s Mutti by mPharma and Nigeria’s Tuteria.
Mutti is a drug affordability service that enables patients to access high quality medicine at lower prices with flexible payment terms through micropayments. Operating in Nigeria, Zambia and Ivory Coast, it targets three main chronic conditions: hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Tuteria connects people seeking to learn with people around them who can teach. Tuteria provides an online platform that allows users to find, evaluate, book and pay for lessons with competent local tutors, coaches, instructors and mentors. – ANA