Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa

by kiwanja

In Ghana, it’s popularly known as susu. In Cameroon, tontines or chilembe. And in South Africa, stokfel. Today, you’d most likely call it plain-old microfinance, the nearest term we have for it. Age-old indigenous credit schemes have run perfectly well without much outside intervention for generations. Although, in our excitement to implement new technologies and solutions, we sometimes fail to recognise them. Innovations such as mobile banking – great as they may be – are hailed as revolutionary without much consideration for what may have come before, or who the original innovators may have been.

The image of traditional African societies as predominantly “simple hunter-gatherer” is more myth than truth. The belief that Africa had little by way of economic institutions and processes before the arrival of the Europeans is another. As Niti Bhan pointed out during a fascinating “Life is Hard” presentation at the Better World By Design Conference a couple of years ago, many rural communities today are familiar with concepts such as loans, barter, swap, trade, credit and interest rates, yet the majority remain excluded from the mainstream modern banking system and have never heard of things like ATMs, banks, mortgages or credit cards. It’s not that people don’t understand banking concepts – it’s just that, for them, things go by a different name.

In Kenya, as few as one in 10 people may have a bank account, but that doesn’t stop many of them from using a number of trading instruments or running successful businesses. Technology can certainly help strengthen traditional trading practices, and we know this because when technology is made available, the users are often the first to figure out how to best make it work for them. Mobile technology is today showcasing African grassroots innovation at its finest.

Africans are not the passive recipients of technology many people seem to think they are. Indeed, some of the more exciting and innovative mobile services around today have emerged as a result of ingenious indigenous use of the technology. Services such as “Call Me” – where customers on many African networks can send a fixed number of free messages per day when they’re out of credit requesting someone to call them – came about as a result of people ”flashing” or “beeping“ their friends (in other words, calling their phones and hanging up to indicate that they wanted to talk). A lot of interesting research on this phenomenon has been carried out by Jonathan Donner, an anthropologist working at Microsoft Research. Today’s more formal and official “Call Me”-style services have come about as a direct result of this entrepreneurial behavior.

The concept of mobile payments did, too.

Researchers have for some time been observing the behavior of users in developing countries, seeking to identify the next big thing. As Jo Best recently put it, many of these ideas spring from “the fertile mind of some user who wanted to do something with a mobile that their operator hadn’t provided yet.”

Tapping into these fertile minds is a fascinating business, something that Jan Chipchase (formerly of Nokia, now with Frog Design) is famous for. Some of Jan’s earlier observations identified emerging mobile payment-style services long before the mobile operators, or even the ICT4D community, had even thought of them. The mantra “build it and they will come” seems alive and well in the African mobile context.

Whilst many traditional development approaches generally introduce alien ideologies and concepts into developing countries – sometimes for the better, often for the worst – today’s emerging mobile services are very much based on a model of indigenous innovation. Take M-Pesa, the much-touted Kenyan mobile money transfer service developed by Vodafone and the U.K. Department for International Development, as an example. Increasing numbers of African users were already carrying out their own form of money transfers through their mobiles long before any official service came into being. SENTE, from Uganda, is one of the better known indigenous systems (M-Sente is now the name of Uganda Telecom’s official mobile money service).

What M-Pesa has done is formalise and scale this kind of activity and bring it fully to market. Its impact has been spectacular, with around 17 million subscribers now using the service, and 50% of Kenya’s entire GDP expected to pass through the platform over the next twelve months. But what services such as these, rolling out in increasing numbers of African countries, have done to earlier “indigenous” systems – mobile-based, such as SENTE, or more traditional microfinance solutions, such as susu, tontines or chilembe – is not so clear, although the latter were most likely well on the decline long before mobile phones came on the scene.

Many indigenous economic systems still exist today where they haven’t been wholly replaced by modern financial structures or technologies. In “Africa Unchained,” George Ayittey states his belief that future African economic prosperity lies in traditional systems and practices:

“Women traders can still be found at most markets in Africa. They still trade their wares for profit. And in virtually all traditional markets today, bargaining over prices is still the norm — an ancient tradition. Traditional African chiefs do not fix prices. And it is this indigenous economic system, characterised by free village markets, free trade and free enterprise that Africa must turn to for its economic rejuvenation.”

It’s likely that many people would argue strongly against Ayittey on this, believing that progress across the African continent is based on embracing change and the new world economic and technological order. It’s an active and fascinating debate. Whichever side of the fence you’re on, all of this does raise one important question.

Should technology solutions aimed at the developing world, and mobile solutions in particular, seek to build on and enhance indigenous, traditional activities – economic or otherwise – or, where necessary, is it okay just to replace and lose them?

That isn’t the only question, either. How does the introduction of emerging mobile services shift the balance of power in traditional African societies? Will women, for example, remain as economically active participants in the new mobile-powered world, or will men take more control? Do mobiles narrow or widen gender inequalities? Is technology exacerbating the gap between the haves and have-nots, or is it truly proving as transformational as we all believe or hope?

Very few businesses would willingly throw out all of their processes and procedures in order to implement a new IT system, however good it may be. The more astute ICT solutions providers know this and, wherever possible, aim to allow seamless integration of any new technology into their clients’ workplaces and working practices. Doesn’t it make sense that we should take the same approach with indigenous societies and seek to build on existing procedures and traditions, and not just assume that a new, modern solution is better and replace everything that went before?

It’s a fine balancing act and one people are still trying to figure out. The irony could be that while growing numbers of social scientists are turning to technology to help preserve and document disappearing cultures, the same technologies may be contributing to their ultimate decline.

240 comments

1 Ken Banks { 09.03.12 at 10:57 am }: Recognising the true innovators. "Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of #mobile banking in #Africa". http://t.co/ufE0VPan
2 Darren Press { 09.03.12 at 11:00 am }: Recognising the true innovators. "Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of #mobile banking in #Africa". http://t.co/ufE0VPan
3 Jaume Fortuny { 09.03.12 at 11:04 am }: Africans aren't the passive recipients of technology >> Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/jzj3rcPL
4 Erik Hersman { 09.03.12 at 11:10 am }: Recognising the true innovators. "Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of #mobile banking in #Africa". http://t.co/ufE0VPan
5 changefeed { 09.03.12 at 11:10 am }: ->@kiwanja: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/y98bCPKJ
6 Veena Gowda { 09.03.12 at 11:10 am }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa: In Ghana, it’s popularly known as susu. In Came… http://t.co/CaFwfDUG
7 Marnix Huis int Veld { 09.03.12 at 11:47 am }: RT @TopsyRT: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/PEa3atsJ
8 Adam Gonnerman { 09.03.12 at 12:39 pm }: Recognising the true innovators. "Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of #mobile banking in #Africa". http://t.co/ufE0VPan
9 Ken Banks { 09.03.12 at 3:11 pm }: Recognising the true innovators. "Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in #Africa". http://t.co/ufE0VPan
10 Jonathan Kalan { 09.03.12 at 3:12 pm }: Recognising the true innovators. "Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in #Africa". http://t.co/ufE0VPan
11 Jibril Touzi { 09.03.12 at 3:12 pm }: Recognising the true innovators. "Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of #mobile banking in #Africa". http://t.co/ufE0VPan
12 Deb Elzie { 09.03.12 at 3:13 pm }: Recognising the true innovators. "Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in #Africa". http://t.co/ufE0VPan
13 Joel Bassuk { 09.03.12 at 3:21 pm }: Recognising the true innovators. "Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in #Africa". http://t.co/ufE0VPan
14 Jules S. Damji { 09.03.12 at 3:24 pm }: “@kiwanja: The roots of mobile banking in #Africa". http://t.co/1iV5aHjM” #M4D
15 Mobanx { 09.03.12 at 3:31 pm }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa … http://t.co/usXR2r9w
16 Jody Ranck { 09.03.12 at 3:41 pm }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/Zw7pFbC5
17 أردن مبدع { 09.03.12 at 3:56 pm }: “@jranck: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/FjMHBnpw
18 Nadine Toukan { 09.03.12 at 3:58 pm }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/Zw7pFbC5
19 Niti Bhan { 09.03.12 at 4:39 pm }: RT @jranck: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/x1eR0aIx
20 Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa | Global Health Hub: news and blogosphere aggregator { 09.03.12 at 5:00 pm }: [...] Continue reading here: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa [...]
21 Thobile Ntaka { 09.03.12 at 5:35 pm }: RT @jranck: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/x1eR0aIx
22 Machage Jnr IV { 09.03.12 at 5:36 pm }: Recognising the true innovators. "Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in #Africa". http://t.co/ufE0VPan
23 Mondato LLC { 09.03.12 at 6:01 pm }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of #mobile banking in #Africa. http://t.co/rhG1sLw8 via @kiwanja
24 Kerstin Andersson { 09.03.12 at 6:14 pm }: The roots of mobile banking in Africa – Ken Banks #ICT4D #bistånd http://t.co/fIjIHCr0
25 Lucy Mbabazi { 09.03.12 at 7:10 pm }: “@kiwanja: Recognising the true innovators. "Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in #Africa". http://t.co/gtbmEvBY”
26 Akhila K. { 09.03.12 at 7:21 pm }: RT @jranck: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/WLuaoMtX
27 Sarah Kerr { 09.03.12 at 8:01 pm }: Recognising the true innovators. "Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in #Africa". http://t.co/ufE0VPan
28 Victor d'Allant { 09.03.12 at 10:05 pm }: The mantra “build it and they will come” seems alive and well in the #mobile context in #Africa ~ @kiwanja http://t.co/X95HFqTr #mpesa
29 kevan christmas { 09.03.12 at 10:05 pm }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa – good article via @kiwanja http://t.co/XWVO40TU
30 Paul Ellingstad { 09.03.12 at 11:01 pm }: The mantra “build it and they will come” seems alive and well in the #mobile context in #Africa ~ @kiwanja http://t.co/X95HFqTr #mpesa
31 Human Kindness { 09.04.12 at 5:56 am }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa= http://t.co/nDi9AKXY #beinghumankind
32 Alan Knott-Craig { 09.04.12 at 7:10 am }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa – good article via @kiwanja http://t.co/XWVO40TU
33 cherylann smith { 09.04.12 at 7:11 am }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa – good article via @kiwanja http://t.co/XWVO40TU
34 Ronak Gopaldas { 09.04.12 at 7:24 am }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa – good article via @kiwanja http://t.co/XWVO40TU
35 Ken Banks { 09.04.12 at 9:36 am }: "Africans are not the passive recipients of technology many people seem to think they are" http://t.co/ufE0VPan #mobile #Africa
36 Ross Macdonald { 09.04.12 at 9:39 am }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/DDGIQFZy
37 Mfundo Mohammed { 09.04.12 at 9:41 am }: "Africans are not the passive recipients of technology many people seem to think they are" http://t.co/ufE0VPan #mobile #Africa
38 robert fabricant { 09.04.12 at 2:32 pm }: #FabFeed Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa: In Ghana, it’s popularly known as susu… http://t.co/aTF0TOkX
39 Soren Jones { 09.04.12 at 2:39 pm }: #FabFeed Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa: In Ghana, it’s popularly known as susu… http://t.co/aTF0TOkX
40 BOSCO-Uganda { 09.04.12 at 3:57 pm }: Recognising the true innovators. "Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in #Africa". http://t.co/ufE0VPan
41 Rahim { 09.04.12 at 4:01 pm }: Always understand user habits RT @jranck: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/2vken8nK
42 TechChange { 09.04.12 at 5:10 pm }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of #mobilebanking in Africa http://t.co/Ugoj3b8J #mFinance #mobile #m4d
43 eugeneflynn { 09.04.12 at 5:33 pm }: Indigenous innovation driving mobile dev in Africa: The roots of #mobilebanking http://t.co/gSfqGJ2r #mFinance #mobile #m4d via @techchange
44 Jenna Burrell { 09.04.12 at 7:03 pm }: Nice blog piece discussing the emergence of mobile banking and its roots as indigenous innovation in Africa @kiwanja – http://t.co/zHOipOGc
45 Ken Banks { 09.04.12 at 7:15 pm }: Thanks, Jenna. R/T @jennaburrell Nice piece on mobile banking and its roots as indigenous innovation in Africa. http://t.co/ufE0VPan
46 Angela Nash-Mercado { 09.04.12 at 7:21 pm }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/00K22Psu
47 Tero Kuittinen { 09.04.12 at 7:23 pm }: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the mobile money platform M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/07crFegB
48 Jay Stanford Sunders { 09.04.12 at 7:25 pm }: Thanks, Jenna. R/T @jennaburrell Nice piece on mobile banking and its roots as indigenous innovation in Africa. http://t.co/ufE0VPan
49 Dylan Higgins { 09.04.12 at 7:25 pm }: RT @kiwanja @jennaburrell Nice piece on mobile banking and its roots as indigenous innovation in Africa. http://t.co/vehsfxKb
50 Horace Dediu { 09.04.12 at 7:30 pm }: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the mobile money platform M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/07crFegB
51 Holly Boardman { 09.04.12 at 7:31 pm }: Thanks, Jenna. R/T @jennaburrell Nice piece on mobile banking and its roots as indigenous innovation in Africa. http://t.co/ufE0VPan
52 Ziad Fazel { 09.04.12 at 7:32 pm }: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the mobile money platform M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/07crFegB
53 Blair { 09.04.12 at 7:34 pm }: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the mobile money platform M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/07crFegB
54 Holly Boardman { 09.04.12 at 7:34 pm }: RT @TopsyRT: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/ks4KmX8k @nneelley
55 Thomas Casey { 09.04.12 at 7:36 pm }: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the mobile money platform M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/07crFegB
56 Gustaf Rosell { 09.04.12 at 7:36 pm }: “50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through M-Pesa over next 12 months” Would love a source, but looks amazing. http://t.co/w3Rp8rCj
57 Fabrizio Badini { 09.04.12 at 7:37 pm }: RT @TopsyRT: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/nKRoa3K9
58 Elizabeth Gould { 09.04.12 at 7:42 pm }: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the mobile money platform M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/07crFegB
59 Pathik Shah { 09.04.12 at 7:42 pm }: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the mobile money platform M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/07crFegB
60 Gustaf Rosell { 09.04.12 at 7:45 pm }: I am curious about the source for 50% of GDP coming from M-Pesa. It sounds amazing, but still very high.
61 frog design { 09.04.12 at 7:50 pm }: "Mobile technology is today showcasing African grassroots innovation at its finest." http://t.co/hvlYWIgH (ht @fabtweet)
62 TMWscience { 09.04.12 at 7:50 pm }: "Mobile technology is today showcasing African grassroots innovation at its finest." http://t.co/hvlYWIgH (ht @fabtweet)
63 Ben Cousins { 09.04.12 at 7:51 pm }: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the mobile money platform M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/07crFegB
64 Kiyoshi Hara { 09.04.12 at 7:51 pm }: "Mobile technology is today showcasing African grassroots innovation at its finest." http://t.co/hvlYWIgH (ht @fabtweet)
65 Stephanie Pratt { 09.04.12 at 7:54 pm }: "Mobile technology is today showcasing African grassroots innovation at its finest." http://t.co/hvlYWIgH (ht @fabtweet)
66 Okang Ashiwel Ochui { 09.04.12 at 7:55 pm }: "Mobile technology is today showcasing African grassroots innovation at its finest." http://t.co/hvlYWIgH (ht @fabtweet)
67 The App Business { 09.04.12 at 8:03 pm }: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the mobile money platform M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/07crFegB
68 Gustav Rosell { 09.04.12 at 8:03 pm }: I am curious about the source for 50% of GDP coming from M-Pesa. It sounds amazing, but still very high.
69 kiwanja { 09.04.12 at 8:05 pm }: @Gustav – The figure has been quoted widely, but I’ve only heard it from conference speakers so don’t have a source. It’s been creeping up over the years, and based on that it sounds about right to me.
70 Senkwe Chanda { 09.04.12 at 8:09 pm }: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the mobile money platform M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/07crFegB
71 Ryan Horsley { 09.04.12 at 8:09 pm }: @serious_twist "Mobile technology is today showcasing African grassroots innovation at its finest." http://t.co/wcnxhpLn
72 Textually { 09.04.12 at 8:10 pm }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa – by kiwanja
http://t.co/apBz58Rq @jranck
73 Okang Ashiwel Ochui { 09.04.12 at 8:11 pm }: Great article. In Africa, we always find a way to “improve” or coin technology. Researchers may want to look into Africa’s largest market: Nigeria. Chances are that there are answers to many unanswered questions waiting there to be discovered.
74 Kris Rockwell { 09.04.12 at 8:12 pm }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa – by kiwanja
http://t.co/apBz58Rq @jranck
75 Yeye-Agba Roberts { 09.04.12 at 8:18 pm }: "Mobile technology is today showcasing African grassroots innovation at its finest." http://t.co/hvlYWIgH (ht @fabtweet)
76 Simon { 09.04.12 at 8:20 pm }: Mobile Banking in Africa http://t.co/SpA7YZDy
77 sebastian massacane { 09.04.12 at 8:23 pm }: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the mobile money platform M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/07crFegB
78 Norberto Ortigoza { 09.04.12 at 8:31 pm }: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the mobile money platform M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/07crFegB
79 Aaron Schiff { 09.04.12 at 8:33 pm }: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the mobile money platform M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/07crFegB
80 Shawn Elson { 09.04.12 at 8:39 pm }: "Mobile technology is today showcasing African grassroots innovation at its finest." http://t.co/hvlYWIgH (ht @fabtweet)
81 Emeka Azuka Okoye { 09.04.12 at 8:42 pm }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa – by kiwanja
http://t.co/apBz58Rq @jranck
82 Ben Tomassetti { 09.04.12 at 8:48 pm }: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the mobile money platform M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/07crFegB
83 Idris Ayo Bello { 09.04.12 at 8:49 pm }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa – by kiwanja
http://t.co/apBz58Rq @jranck
84 J { 09.04.12 at 8:49 pm }: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the mobile money platform M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/07crFegB
85 Alexander Potolidis { 09.04.12 at 8:50 pm }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/uh7BMSEL #africa#mobile#banking
86 Peter Turner { 09.04.12 at 8:51 pm }: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the mobile money platform M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/07crFegB
87 Unofficial Use Only { 09.04.12 at 8:57 pm }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa – by kiwanja
http://t.co/apBz58Rq @jranck
88 Jean-Paul Petranca { 09.04.12 at 9:05 pm }: Developing world tech skips gen's: “@teroterotero: 50% Kenya GDP to pass thru mobile money platform M-Pesa in 2013 http://t.co/QB5SQAN7”
89 justinspratt { 09.04.12 at 9:25 pm }: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the mobile money platform M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/07crFegB
90 Coders4Africa { 09.04.12 at 9:27 pm }: RT @textually: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa – by kiwanja http://t.co/eWTetCiG @jranck
91 Sarat Pediredla { 09.04.12 at 9:30 pm }: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the mobile money platform M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/07crFegB
92 Olivia Mukam { 09.04.12 at 9:36 pm }: RT @idrisayobello: RT @textually: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa – by kiwanja
http://t.co/4QPFPB9I @jranck
93 Kate { 09.04.12 at 9:37 pm }: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the mobile money platform M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/07crFegB
94 Darren Smith { 09.04.12 at 9:54 pm }: #mobile ~ @teroterotero: 50% of Kenya’s GDP expected to pass thru the mobile money platform M-Pesa over next 12 months: http://t.co/kwdhH4ul
95 Josh Nicklin { 09.04.12 at 10:00 pm }: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the mobile money platform M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/07crFegB
96 Patrick Scullin { 09.04.12 at 10:07 pm }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa – by kiwanja
http://t.co/apBz58Rq @jranck
97 colin davies { 09.04.12 at 10:12 pm }: "Mobile technology is today showcasing African grassroots innovation at its finest." http://t.co/hvlYWIgH (ht @fabtweet)
98 Chris Lukassen { 09.04.12 at 10:14 pm }: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the mobile money platform M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/07crFegB
99 Perspective { 09.04.12 at 10:23 pm }: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the mobile money platform M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/07crFegB
100 felix felicis { 09.04.12 at 10:54 pm }: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the mobile money platform M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/07crFegB
101 Maish Nichani { 09.04.12 at 11:55 pm }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of #mobile #banking in Africa, http://t.co/Sk7p6dfu
102 Stephen Breen { 09.05.12 at 12:33 am }: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the mobile money platform M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/07crFegB
103 mobilepov { 09.05.12 at 1:06 am }: "Mobile technology is today showcasing African grassroots innovation at its finest." http://t.co/hvlYWIgH (ht @fabtweet)
104 Michael { 09.05.12 at 1:55 am }: Small world …. http://t.co/MzP6VuU7
105 vindoc { 09.05.12 at 2:36 am }: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the mobile money platform M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/07crFegB
106 David Zemanek { 09.05.12 at 2:53 am }: "Mobile technology is today showcasing African grassroots innovation at its finest." http://t.co/hvlYWIgH (ht @fabtweet)
107 XCD-Design { 09.05.12 at 3:14 am }: RT @TopsyRT: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/jz3YihS7
#XCD #crosscultural
108 Will Yell { 09.05.12 at 4:28 am }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa – by kiwanja
http://t.co/apBz58Rq @jranck
109 Paritosh Praharaj { 09.05.12 at 4:38 am }: "Mobile technology is today showcasing African grassroots innovation at its finest." http://t.co/hvlYWIgH (ht @fabtweet)
110 Michael M. Goldman { 09.05.12 at 5:35 am }: Huge if true"@teroterotero: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/hiPjBQjH"
111 CreativeRoots { 09.05.12 at 5:36 am }: RT @TopsyRT: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/jz3YihS7
#XCD #crosscultural
112 ami. { 09.05.12 at 5:37 am }: RT @xcd_design: RT @TopsyRT: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/qLRWvopm
#XCD #crosscultural
113 XCD-Design { 09.05.12 at 6:23 am }: RT @xcd_design: RT @TopsyRT: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/qLRWvopm
#XCD #crosscultural
114 mbotta { 09.05.12 at 6:39 am }: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the mobile money platform M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/07crFegB
115 Cliff Hazell { 09.05.12 at 6:47 am }: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the mobile money platform M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/07crFegB
116 Nana Boakye-Yiadom { 09.05.12 at 7:55 am }: Recognising the true innovators. "Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in #Africa". http://t.co/ufE0VPan
117 Michael Wolf { 09.05.12 at 8:18 am }: 'Image of trad. African societies as predominantly “simple hunter-gatherer” is more myth than truth.' via @XCD_design
http://t.co/LA4m1IWn
118 Hannes Hauer { 09.05.12 at 8:23 am }: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the mobile money platform M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/07crFegB
119 Alkasim Abdulkadir { 09.05.12 at 9:13 am }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa – by kiwanja
http://t.co/apBz58Rq @jranck
120 Stephan J Lamprecht { 09.05.12 at 10:54 am }: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the mobile money platform M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/07crFegB
121 Neelley Hicks { 09.05.12 at 1:50 pm }: RT @TopsyRT: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/ks4KmX8k @nneelley
122 Firdaus Kharas { 09.05.12 at 2:04 pm }: It all starts with little steps. Mobile banking is one: http://t.co/3Slu0Lt8
123 A.J. Khaira { 09.05.12 at 2:07 pm }: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the mobile money platform M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/07crFegB
124 Gustav Praekelt { 09.05.12 at 2:33 pm }: Great post by @kiwanja on the roots of mobile banking in Africa. http://t.co/CzFqwSor
125 kenyanatheist { 09.05.12 at 2:41 pm }: RT @TopsyRT: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/VPsTjZUk
126 We Farm { 09.05.12 at 2:42 pm }: The value of recognizing local knowledge & building on indigenous ideas – great post from @kiwanja http://t.co/Xz3HfZDl
127 Matt Berg { 09.05.12 at 2:43 pm }: Ken – thanks for shedding some excellent light on para-poor services (services developed by the poor for the poor). Just to note, some of the traditional schemes of finance in rural areas like loan-sharking with extremely high interest rates, traditionally favored the rich. I think the ability for technology to break some of these negative “traditional” practices helps partially explain why many of the poor have been particularly attracted to these new financial services.

Another key takeaway for me here is create a general tool or service and let people figure out for themselves how to use it.
128 Frank Krabbenhoeft { 09.05.12 at 2:59 pm }: "Mobile technology is today showcasing African grassroots innovation at its finest." http://t.co/hvlYWIgH (ht @fabtweet)
129 Frank Krabbenhoeft { 09.05.12 at 3:00 pm }: Ingenious indigenous: @frogdesign: Mobile technology is today showcasing African grassroots innovation at its finest http://t.co/2rnSWcQt
130 kiwanja { 09.05.12 at 3:07 pm }: @Matt – Thanks for the thoughtful comments, each of which I entirely agree with. Cost is certainly a driver (along with convenience, access, etc) but, as you rightly say, if tools are developed more broadly people tend to figure out the best uses for them. Mobile is, perhaps, the biggest case in point here.
131 XCD-Design { 09.05.12 at 3:25 pm }: 'Image of trad. African societies as predominantly “simple hunter-gatherer” is more myth than truth.' via @XCD_design
http://t.co/LA4m1IWn
132 John Owens { 09.05.12 at 4:01 pm }: RT @teroterotero: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the mobile money platform M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/mPkBDoxN
133 Petri Aukia { 09.05.12 at 4:19 pm }: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the mobile money platform M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/07crFegB
134 Emeka Azuka Okoye { 09.05.12 at 4:19 pm }: RT @teroterotero: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the mobile money platform M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/mPkBDoxN
135 Jaakko Holster { 09.05.12 at 4:50 pm }: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the mobile money platform M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/07crFegB
136 Menekse Gencer { 09.05.12 at 4:55 pm }: RT @teroterotero: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the mobile money platform M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/mPkBDoxN
137 Sian Prime { 09.05.12 at 5:25 pm }: The value of recognizing local knowledge & building on indigenous ideas – great post from @kiwanja http://t.co/Xz3HfZDl
138 Ken Banks { 09.05.12 at 5:32 pm }: Thanks, Gustav. Hope you're well! R/T @gustavp Great post by @kiwanja on the roots of mobile banking in Africa. http://t.co/cuiIdY9i
139 PMU { 09.05.12 at 6:40 pm }: “50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through M-Pesa over next 12 months” Would love a source, but looks amazing. http://t.co/w3Rp8rCj
140 Cape Town Design Net { 09.05.12 at 6:50 pm }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa
http://t.co/hfAWmcR4
141 Hans Åke Carlson { 09.05.12 at 7:01 pm }: “50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through M-Pesa over next 12 months” Would love a source, but looks amazing. http://t.co/w3Rp8rCj
142 TMS Ruge { 09.05.12 at 8:30 pm }: RT @gustavp: Great post by @kiwanja on the roots of mobile banking in Africa. http://t.co/OuDXzxVd
143 Edward Cable { 09.05.12 at 9:38 pm }: RT @gustavp: Great post by @kiwanja on the roots of mobile banking in Africa. http://t.co/OuDXzxVd
144 Thomas Purves { 09.05.12 at 11:02 pm }: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the mobile money platform M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/07crFegB
145 INFOGROOVA { 09.05.12 at 11:52 pm }: RT @textually: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa – by kiwanja http://t.co/eWTetCiG @jranck
146 jke { 09.06.12 at 12:03 am }: What fascinates me about all traditional services is that they are all more or less based on trust. And going by what G.Ayittey wrote on traditional economies, I’d like to see more apps that try to pick up on that market-approach. Maybe a transport service similar to what M-Pesa is to money, but for goods.
147 Leetha Filderman { 09.06.12 at 2:00 am }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/sN3qDNNo
148 Nadine Toukan { 09.06.12 at 5:13 am }: "@jranck Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/JxkLnssS
149 Nadine Toukan { 09.06.12 at 5:13 am }: "@jranck Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/JxkLnssS
150 Nadine Toukan { 09.06.12 at 5:13 am }: "@jranck Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/JxkLnssS
151 Witty { 09.06.12 at 5:36 am }: RT @gustavp: Great post by @kiwanja on the roots of mobile banking in Africa. http://t.co/OuDXzxVd
152 kiwanja { 09.06.12 at 5:52 am }: @jke – I’d love to see more apps based on traditional systems/values/solutions as much as you. As we see more and more apps from African developers (a very good thing) perhaps some will turn their attention that way.
153 FLANCE { 09.06.12 at 5:56 am }: Insightful and relates to our recent meetings RT Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/oNJnKKsK
154 Philipp Budka { 09.06.12 at 6:15 am }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of #mobile #banking in #Africa by @kiwanja – http://t.co/4tVsl0fA
155 Rina Sherman { 09.06.12 at 6:24 am }: Of stokfel and other forms of mobile banking. http://t.co/H60Q7bNe
156 Mac-Jordan { 09.06.12 at 7:41 am }: Very interesting article by @kiwanja on the roots of mobile banking in Africa. http://t.co/9Dsp17g3. Dope!
157 Cyriac Gbogou { 09.06.12 at 7:43 am }: Very interesting article by @kiwanja on the roots of mobile banking in Africa. http://t.co/9Dsp17g3. Dope!
158 kofi yeboah { 09.06.12 at 7:44 am }: Very interesting article by @kiwanja on the roots of mobile banking in Africa. http://t.co/9Dsp17g3. Dope!
159 Mike Mompi { 09.06.12 at 7:58 am }: indigenous & ingenious -> “@MacJordaN: Very interesting article by @kiwanja on the roots of mobile banking in Africa. http://t.co/jaKAoEzd ”
160 Aki Kawana { 09.06.12 at 2:10 pm }: "Mobile technology is today showcasing African grassroots innovation at its finest." http://t.co/hvlYWIgH (ht @fabtweet)
161 Aunnie Patton { 09.06.12 at 2:33 pm }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/WYGoZZOE
162 Airtel Uganda { 09.06.12 at 2:46 pm }: Our tech story of the day:
Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/JohC5jeY http://t.co/LcMQCutd
163 sophie morley { 09.06.12 at 5:07 pm }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/a2RVXavc
164 Cornelius Puschmann { 09.06.12 at 8:09 pm }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of #mobile #banking in #Africa by @kiwanja – http://t.co/4tVsl0fA
165 Brigitte Piquard { 09.06.12 at 8:28 pm }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/a2RVXavc
166 Don Richardson { 09.06.12 at 9:27 pm }: RT @kiwanja Recognising the true innovators. "#Indigenous & ingenious: Roots of mobile banking in #Africa" http://t.co/gqsQBT4F #innnovation
167 Nathan Chiume { 09.06.12 at 11:55 pm }: RT @kiwanja: "Africans are not the passive recipients of technology many people seem to think they are" http://t.co/8fNLAALM #mobile #Africa
168 Laura Spiekerman { 09.07.12 at 2:50 am }: RT @kiwanja @jennaburrell Nice piece on mobile banking and its roots as indigenous innovation in Africa. http://t.co/vehsfxKb
169 African HornET { 09.07.12 at 3:17 am }: RT @kiwanja: "Africans are not the passive recipients of technology many people seem to think they are" http://t.co/8fNLAALM #mobile #Africa
170 Ann Thompson { 09.07.12 at 6:57 am }: Recognising the true innovators. "Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in #Africa". http://t.co/ufE0VPan
171 HumanIT { 09.07.12 at 6:59 am }: recent blog post on the indigenous roots of mobile banking in Africa, http://t.co/oaP5JsUV
172 Jakob Svensson { 09.07.12 at 6:59 am }: recent blog post on the indigenous roots of mobile banking in Africa, http://t.co/WiVtZNsG
173 HumanIT { 09.07.12 at 6:59 am }: recent blog post on the indigenous roots of mobile banking in Africa, http://t.co/oaP5JsUV
174 Jakob Svensson { 09.07.12 at 6:59 am }: recent blog post on the indigenous roots of mobile banking in Africa, http://t.co/WiVtZNsG
175 Stone Atwine.exe { 09.07.12 at 10:19 am }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/2lSuFXh5
176 Stone Atwine.exe { 09.07.12 at 10:19 am }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/2lSuFXh5
177 James S K Makumbi { 09.07.12 at 10:20 am }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/2lSuFXh5
178 Denis Nabende { 09.07.12 at 10:29 am }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/2lSuFXh5
179 Lucy Mbabazi { 09.07.12 at 10:45 am }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/2lSuFXh5
180 Clifford Mayaka { 09.07.12 at 10:48 am }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/2lSuFXh5
181 Aryan Mike Binazir { 09.07.12 at 12:30 pm }: Huge if true"@teroterotero: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/hiPjBQjH"
182 Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa | dotafrica.mobi { 09.07.12 at 12:44 pm }: [...] Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa September 7th, 2012 DCA window.setTimeout('window.location="http://dotafrica.mobi/smartphones-tablet-devices-shaping-future-contact-centre/"; ',10*60*1000); Whilst many traditional development approaches generally introduce alien ideologies and concepts into developing countries – sometimes for the better, often for the worst – Read More [...]
183 DotAfrica.mobi { 09.07.12 at 12:46 pm }: RT @TopsyRT: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/X2qyBFQm
184 Oema Soso { 09.07.12 at 2:46 pm }: RT @kiwanja: "Africans are not the passive recipients of technology many people seem to think they are" http://t.co/8fNLAALM #mobile #Africa
185 Jennifer Parker { 09.07.12 at 9:11 pm }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/KitnnYHj
186 US-Africa Gateway { 09.08.12 at 3:45 am }: Recognising the true innovators. "Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in #Africa". http://t.co/ufE0VPan
187 Francesco D'Onghia { 09.08.12 at 8:36 am }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/KitnnYHj
188 Felicia { 09.10.12 at 7:05 am }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/Y2cFjdNE @tedxeuston #challengingconventionalwisdom
189 TEDxEuston { 09.10.12 at 7:29 am }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/Y2cFjdNE @tedxeuston #challengingconventionalwisdom
190 Sylva Nze Ifedigbo { 09.10.12 at 9:39 am }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/GouQAnvd @@CocaCola_NG #ABillionReasonsToBelieveInAfrica
191 Obi Asika { 09.10.12 at 2:52 pm }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/Y2cFjdNE @tedxeuston #challengingconventionalwisdom
192 Liberationtech { 09.10.12 at 7:20 pm }: Indigenous & ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in #Africa http://t.co/a7vuFCCk by @kiwanja #mbanking #mmoney #mobilemoney #ICT4D
193 Joshua Roberts { 09.10.12 at 7:22 pm }: Indigenous & ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in #Africa http://t.co/a7vuFCCk by @kiwanja #mbanking #mmoney #mobilemoney #ICT4D
194 Afrolatin@Project { 09.10.12 at 7:30 pm }: "@Liberationtech: Indigenous & ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in #Africa http://t.co/jx88JRbB by @kiwanja #mbanking #ICT4D"
195 gsmammu { 09.10.12 at 9:00 pm }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of #mobilebanking in #Africa via @kiwanja http://t.co/Du7ZvYt9 #mobilemoney #mpayments
196 job too { 09.11.12 at 6:00 am }: RT @Liberationtech: Indigenous & ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in #Africa http://t.co/7y3o2stv by @kiwanja #mbanking #mmoney #m …
197 Ceri Howes { 09.11.12 at 10:47 am }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of #mobilebanking in #Africa via @kiwanja http://t.co/Du7ZvYt9 #mobilemoney #mpayments
198 GSMA Mobile4Dev { 09.11.12 at 2:55 pm }: The roots of #mobile banking in #Africa via @kiwanja http://t.co/n8N2MSRu #mobilemoney #mpayments #m4d
199 Mobile Web in Africa { 09.11.12 at 3:15 pm }: Great post by @kiwanja on the roots of mobile banking in Africa. http://t.co/CzFqwSor
200 Jason Cumming { 09.11.12 at 3:24 pm }: Great post by @kiwanja on the roots of mobile banking in Africa. http://t.co/CzFqwSor
201 Keith Ricketts { 09.11.12 at 3:30 pm }: Great post by @kiwanja on the roots of mobile banking in Africa. http://t.co/CzFqwSor
202 Chet Woodside { 09.11.12 at 3:58 pm }: Interesting read. Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa.
http://t.co/fNBCOdiM
203 Morgan Collett { 09.11.12 at 4:05 pm }: Great post by @kiwanja on the roots of mobile banking in Africa. http://t.co/CzFqwSor
204 Helen Graham { 09.11.12 at 4:15 pm }: Great post by @kiwanja on the roots of mobile banking in Africa. http://t.co/CzFqwSor
205 Kyle Robertson { 09.11.12 at 10:28 pm }: Interesting read. Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa.
http://t.co/fNBCOdiM
206 Frank Santoni { 09.12.12 at 3:09 am }: "Mobile technology is today showcasing African grassroots innovation at its finest." http://t.co/hvlYWIgH (ht @fabtweet)
207 Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa | Build it Kenny, and they will come... | eFarafina... l'Afrique électronique | Scoop.it { 09.12.12 at 8:29 am }: [...] In Ghana, it’s popularly known as susu. In Cameroon, tontines or chilembe. And in South Africa, stokfel. Today, you’d most likely call it plain-old microfinance, the nearest term we have for it. Age-old indigenous credit schemes have run perfectly well without much outside intervention for generations. Although, in our excitement to implement new technologies and solutions, we sometimes fail to recognise them. Innovations such as mobile banking – great as they may be – are hailed as revolutionary without much consideration for what may have come before, or who the original innovators may have been. [...]
208 Cherie Blair Fndn { 09.12.12 at 8:47 am }: Recognising the true innovators. "Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of #mobile banking in #Africa". http://t.co/ufE0VPan
209 Karuna { 09.12.12 at 8:49 am }: Recognising the true innovators. "Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of #mobile banking in #Africa". http://t.co/ufE0VPan
210 Engineering 4 Change { 09.13.12 at 2:06 pm }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/EaCRhKZZ
211 robert kayitani { 09.13.12 at 4:06 pm }: RT @TopsyRT: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/AcEDbacr
212 Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa | Material World { 09.15.12 at 12:00 pm }: [...] http://www.kiwanja.net/blog/2012/09/indigenous-and-ingenious-the-roots-of-mobile-banking [...]
213 INNODEV { 09.18.12 at 12:13 pm }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/bEQNLHG1
214 Christina Sefcik { 09.18.12 at 3:26 pm }: Recognising the true innovators. "Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of #mobile banking in #Africa". http://t.co/ufE0VPan
215 Paul Polak and team { 09.20.12 at 3:26 pm }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in #Africa http://t.co/Hgvjo5b0 by @Kiwanja rt @engineer4change
216 First Power { 09.20.12 at 3:33 pm }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in #Africa http://t.co/Hgvjo5b0 by @Kiwanja rt @engineer4change
217 GSMACPM { 09.20.12 at 3:38 pm }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in #Africa http://t.co/Hgvjo5b0 by @Kiwanja rt @engineer4change
218 Zoe Schlag { 09.20.12 at 3:50 pm }: @TopsyRT: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/7W5DlPZK
219 Rama Kandarpa { 09.20.12 at 4:29 pm }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in #Africa http://t.co/Hgvjo5b0 by @Kiwanja rt @engineer4change
220 Ashoka Changemakers { 09.20.12 at 4:37 pm }: Mobile technology is today showcasing African grassroots innovation at its finest http://t.co/e7QiGULS #ict4d via @kiwanja
221 Henrik S { 09.20.12 at 4:38 pm }: Mobile technology is today showcasing African grassroots innovation at its finest http://t.co/e7QiGULS #ict4d via @kiwanja
222 bob jaffer { 09.20.12 at 4:41 pm }: Mobile technology is today showcasing African grassroots innovation at its finest http://t.co/e7QiGULS #ict4d via @kiwanja
223 KH { 09.20.12 at 4:45 pm }: Mobile technology is today showcasing African grassroots innovation at its finest http://t.co/e7QiGULS #ict4d via @kiwanja
224 New Economy { 09.20.12 at 4:55 pm }: Mobile technology is today showcasing African grassroots innovation at its finest http://t.co/e7QiGULS #ict4d via @kiwanja
225 Mark H Hayamizu { 09.20.12 at 5:08 pm }: RT @TopsyRT: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/TXjyrvF4
226 TEDxMileHigh { 09.20.12 at 5:09 pm }: RT @outofpoverty: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in #Africa http://t.co/WZ3mNBXV by @kiwanja rt @engineer4change
227 Gunilla Redelius { 09.20.12 at 5:33 pm }: Mobile technology is today showcasing African grassroots innovation at its finest http://t.co/e7QiGULS #ict4d via @kiwanja
228 Juanjo San { 09.20.12 at 5:37 pm }: Mobile technology is today showcasing African grassroots innovation at its finest http://t.co/e7QiGULS #ict4d via @kiwanja
229 EmprendeSocial { 09.20.12 at 6:44 pm }: Mobile technology is today showcasing African grassroots innovation at its finest http://t.co/e7QiGULS #ict4d via @kiwanja
230 Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa | Build it Kenny, and they will come... | Identity (Self-in-world) | Scoop.it { 09.20.12 at 9:13 pm }: [...] In Ghana, it's popularly known as susu. In Cameroon, tontines or chilembe. And in South Africa, stokfel. [...]
231 Aaron Krolikowski { 09.22.12 at 1:46 pm }: Interesting question, but is it relevant? Already know the importance of contextual fit for these innovations #ICT4D http://t.co/8AOCxsE3
232 Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa | Build it Kenny, and they will come... | Arrival Cities | Scoop.it { 09.25.12 at 11:28 am }: [...] In Ghana, it’s popularly known as susu. In Cameroon, tontines or chilembe. And in South Africa, stokfel. Today, you’d most likely call it plain-old microfinance, the nearest term we have for it. Age-old indigenous credit schemes have run perfectly well without much outside intervention for generations. Although, in our excitement to implement new technologies and solutions, we sometimes fail to recognise them. Innovations such as mobile banking – great as they may be – are hailed as revolutionary without much consideration for what may have come before, or who the original innovators may have been. [...]
233 socentech { 09.25.12 at 2:33 pm }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/5kGct3rL by @Kiwanja
234 smplct lab { 09.25.12 at 2:33 pm }: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/Gh0Id33E by @Kiwanja
235 XCD-Design { 09.30.12 at 5:53 pm }: RT @TopsyRT: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/jz3YihS7
#XCD #crosscultural
236 Rashmir { 10.10.12 at 3:44 am }: 50% of Kenya's GDP expected to pass through the mobile money platform M-Pesa over the next 12 months http://t.co/07crFegB
237 Croplinks(K) Ltd { 10.11.12 at 8:54 am }: The value of recognizing local knowledge & building on indigenous ideas – great post from @kiwanja http://t.co/Xz3HfZDl
238 Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa | Build it Kenny, and they will come… | DDRRNT { 11.18.12 at 6:04 am }: [...] See on http://www.kiwanja.net [...]
239 Wallis Motta { 11.21.12 at 1:29 pm }: RT @TopsyRT: Indigenous and ingenious: The roots of mobile banking in Africa http://t.co/xjpOwz6E
240 Tyler { 12.13.12 at 3:51 pm }: "@frogdesign: "Mobile technology is today showcasing African grassroots innovation at its finest." http://t.co/FzltbR3b (ht @fabtweet)"