“Every once in a while; a new technology, an old problem and a big idea turn into an innovation,” Dean Kamen once said.
In the last one year, several innovations were introduced on the Ugandan market. In the digital and financial inclusion space, a lot of improved solutions came on board with a solo intention of improving the lives of users.
The #DIAA2019 Disruptive Innovation Category seeks to reward a digital or financial inclusion advancement that was introduced and has since led to a business unusual feeling in the sub-sector it serves. Yes, they are disruptive but for positive reasons.
Because many of these innovations are new, they may require time and big budgets before they fully sink in to the market. But in principle, they are good but also pro-development.
Further, following Everett Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovation theory, these Innovations must definitely follow an acceptance path from Innovators to Early Adopters, Early Majority and Late Majority. There are also Laggards whose rigidity and conservative behaviour means that they may not use these life changing products and services.
The nominees for #DIAA2019 Disruptive Innovation are Citimasta App: Traffic Update and Route Planner, MTN MoMoCard: Virtual Card to Shop or Make Payments, SafeBoda Pairing: Get the Nearest Rider, Standard Chartered Bank: Straight2bank Liquidity Management, YO TV: Online Television Without Commitments and StarTimes ON: Online Video Anytime, Anywhere with Any Device.
Traffic Jam is one of the most nagging things on Kampala roads. The other is dust and pot holes mainly on the outskirts of the city. Citi Masta APP is the solution to Traffic Jam as it enables drivers to know which route is moving and which one is not moving around Kampala. This in turn helps them to make informed decisions on why to pass or not. The Citi Masta APP can be downloaded from Google Play and APP stores.
The MTN MoMocard is a virtual card available to MTN customers that enables them to perform online transactions with funds from their MTN MoMo wallet. It is implemented in parternship with Mastercard. This MTN Momocard has a maximum value of UGX 3 million valid for 30 days. MTN Uganda Mobile Money customers simply dial *165*70# to get started.
SafeBoda has with no doubt revolutionized Uganda’s Boda Boda business. With more than 12,000 riders, the company’s better days are ahead. One year ago, SafeBoda added an interesting feature on its APP named Pairing. The pairing feature allows passengers to spot a Safeboda rider, stop him/her, enter the rider’s helmet number into the app, match with them instantly and then embark on a professional ride up to the customer’s destination. The Pairing feature is not only time saving but also allows the passenger to choose a preferred rider. Truth is that SafeBoda passengers love this feature.
Standard Chartered’s Straight2Bank is a fully-integrated internet banking platform that caters for transacting and reporting needs across cash management, foreign exchange and trade finance for a customer, all at a click. It is giving Standard Chartered customers a variety of benefits.
YOTVChannels is an innovative app that allows you to access the best of Ugandan live television, radio, music and other multi-media content on your phone, tablet or computer anywhere, anytime. It is a one stop center for over 50 TV and Radio channels – local and international currently with more others continuously added on.
Described as Africa’s number 1 online video service platform, StarTimes ON is dedicated to providing fresh entertainment and convenient online video service anytime, anywhere and on almost every device. It is used by more than 14 million users, has over 160 live channels, more than 20,000 hours of Video on-demand content and covering at-least 45 countries. Its flagship content includes News, Documentary, Entertainment, Movies, Music and Sports in languages such as English, French, Swahili and Portuguese. Most of its local content comes from Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa and Mozambique. After downloading the StarTimes ON APP, its subscription mode is pay perhour/day/week/month. You don’t need to be a StarTimes Digital TV subscriber to subscribe for the StarTimes ON APP.
Under the theme #IncludeEveryone, Digital Impact Awards Africa is a platform that promotes Digital Inclusion, Financial Inclusion and Cybersecurity. Precisely; the Awards seek to recognize, celebrate and appreciate different individuals and organizations that are spearheading the use of digital mediums to better serve their communities.
HiPipo looks forward to host all the nominees and other players come 20th September 2019 at Kampala Serena Hotel. Contact the #DIAA2019 team to book your attendance package Standard ($1,595) for awards attendance Or Corporate ($3,450), Corporate Branded ($5,200) that will give you access to Include Everyone – Digital and Financial Inclusion Summit and Panel discussions with Digital Leaders.
