Last week, we discussed innovation in traditional African societies. This was followed by an expose of modern-day, practical, African-led solutions to Africa’s unique challenges – Africans for Africa to the World.
Today, we would examine some other innovative solutions by young Africans.
They are:
e-Commerce: KONGA.COM
KONGA.COM is Nigeria’s largest online marketplace, facilitating e-commerce in Africa, whilst also improving the online shopping experience in a secure environment. The company has raised over $100 million in funding since its inception in 2012.
Its mission is to help small businesses thrive by utilizing technology. Its merchants range from small Nigerian communities to multinational corporations. More than 10,000 merchants have enrolled on the Konga Platform since it opened its SellerHQ marketplace to small and medium-sized enterprises in 2014.
Healthcare: LifeBank
LifeBank is a logistics company in Nigeria that offers life-saving blood, oxygen, and other medical supplies around the clock, 365 days a year, accepting and executing orders through multiple channels.
The company delivers healthcare supplies by using drones, tricycles, bikes, and trucks.
To ensure that these goods are delivered on time and in good form, the company employs the optimal mobility option for each scenario.
The impact on healthcare in Nigeria is immense.
Fashion: SOKO
SOKO was established in Nairobi, Kenya, with the purpose of empowering female artisans (handcrafters of handmade jewelry) in growing economies such as Africa by leveraging technology to connect them to global markets (mobile tools). In emerging markets, the artisan craft industry is the second largest employer. Yet it is one of the most marginalized communities. Soko is particularly concerned about the environment, as the artisans use natural and recyclable materials. According to reports, the artisans’ revenue increased exponentially within two months of joining Soko.
Finance – Lift Above Poverty Organization (LAPO)
LAPO is a non-profit community development organization founded in Nigeria that promotes entrepreneurship and empowers the impoverished and vulnerable through microfinance.
The company began operations in 1987 and now has over 500 locations around the country.
LAPO is committed to supporting the poor to better their socioeconomic status. It functions as a microcredit institution as well as a resource center for clients to assist them to address issues other than a lack of finances, such as illiteracy and environmental degradation, both of which exacerbate poverty.
Education – Bridge International Academies
The international for-profit network is a large-scale chain of low-cost private schools that uses a technology-enabled approach to provide uniform primary education through its “Academy in a box” model.
The model enables the chain to develop swiftly whilst maintaining low prices. Bridge International Academies charges an average of $6 equivalent per month to provide services to schools as cheaply as possible.
The organization has grown at a tremendous speed in the last six years, with more than 400 outlets in Kenya, Uganda, and Nigeria.
Furthermore, its teachers are largely senior secondary school leavers who have been trained by Bridge. These teachers are tested on a daily, or maybe hourly basis to ensure quality.
Young Africans continue to proffer creative solutions to address the continent’s unique problems. The above are only a few of these initiatives.
We must change the narrative one solution at a time.
See you in the next post.
HEALTH IS WEALTH