Technology is disrupting business models and revolutionising sectors across the continent. We profile five African tech ventures nominated for the Best Disruptive Innovation at the Appsafrica Innovation Awards.
KOKO Networks (Kenya)
KOKO deploys networks of cloud-connected “KOKOpoints” – machines combining a clean fuel ATM, an e-commerce kiosk and an in-store digital media platform.
KOKO has designed and developed a smart network of 700 KOKOpoints in Nairobi, enabling a low-cost “click and collect” delivery service, solving the last mile challenges that typically drive up costs for customers. KOKOpoints – located inside neighborhood shops – deliver eCommerce and digital media services as well as a clean fuel, thereby providing new revenue opportunities for store owners and entrepreneurs.
BRCK for MOJA (Kenya)
The Moja Platform was conceived by BRCK to provide a financially profitable model for delivering free and ubiquitous connectivity to consumers in Africa.
The Moja platform addresses two major problems in a novel way: the access and affordability of the internet. Without widespread adoption, middle and lower-income African consumers are not actively using financial, e-government, and other valuable digital services on a regular basis. Moja provides these users with access to the greatest knowledge repository at no cost.
Franc Group (South Africa)
Investment products have largely been sold by advisors that charge high fees and typically only sold to high-income earners. However, wealth inequality is perhaps the greatest challenge facing the continent.
With mobile technology, even people with low household income can build up a rainy day fund with real returns (7.92%) to pay for life’s emergencies and put their money to work in low-cost index trackers for those important long term goals. Franc are disrupting the broker model by providing an app that helps people access the capital markets directly.
JOBJACK (South Africa)
JOBJACK is a mobile-first web app that can be accessed through the web browser of a phone that provides access to relevant job opportunities – no paper/PDF CV or transport cost required. Jobjack guides the job seeker with the relevant questions and prompts to be able to match with a job.
For businesses, Jobjack automates the entry-level recruiting process by bringing it online with automatic interview schedulers, notifications, algorithms, and filters.
Job-seekers now do not have to go old school, print paper CVs, walk, drop them off and hope for the best. They can now use a phone, instantly apply and get feedback.
Pargo (South Africa)
Pargo is a smart logistics platform that is addressing Africa’s $25B last-mile distribution challenge through a tech-enabled network of parcel pickup points. Pargo allows consumers, companies and couriers to send and receive parcels at thousands of pickup points, conveniently located in retail and convenience stores and thus creating accessible, affordable and reliable delivery for 1B+ Africans.
The platform has different logistics providers (couriers, 3PL, line-haul, customs) integrated to offer various delivery services to companies. The pickup points all work on Pargo devices that make the different services available to them.
With over 2500 stores and a pickup point in every town and suburb in Southern Africa, Pargo ensures that businesses have access to a much bigger group of consumers.
