5 Mobile apps in Africa shaping the lives of allAfricans today

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Jul 18, 2014 12:30:00 PM

Africa as a continent has definitely come a long way in the mobile age! With its industry shapinginnovations in mobile applications, it has utilized technology to help combat some of its most pressingsocial issues and has helped redefine what phones are conventionally used for! It has granted Africansaccess to simple services otherwise removed from the common man, given them a voice to havethemselves heard and has helped connect millions of lives!

Here we take a look at 5 mobile apps in Africa that are positively shaping the lives of Africans in themobile age:

Mxit-Africa's Biggest Social Media Network

Originating in South Africa back in 2005, Mxit now boasts over 10 million registered usersin SA and over 50 million worldwide. In spite of facing stiff competition from the likes ofWeChat and WhatsApp in SA, this instant messenger is a favorite for its data-efficiency(average of only 4.5MB per user a month) and allowing users to connect via Java-baseddevices, which makes it very accessible even for those without a smartphone! Mxit aimsto focus on feature phone users and is in the process of rolling out its platform in 22languages to better cater for emerging markets.

Frontline SMS-SMS based platform for NGO's

Frontline SMS is an open-source software that supports text messages from mobilephones and computers without the use of the internet. Used as a medium to improvecommunication between NGO's and locals in remote areas, its services have expandedand now include Frontline SMS: Credit, Learn, Legal, Medic and Radio. This tool iscurrently being used in 11 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and is going a long way tohelping collect and analyze data to improve services on the continent.

SnapScan-A cashless society on the horizon

Following in the footsteps of mobile payment platforms like Kenya's M-Pesa, SnapScan isan award-winning new digital mobile payment method developed in South Africa. Userssimply have to download the free app, link their bank accounts to it and pay for goodswith their smartphone without the hassle of having to carry around money or credit cards.In a continent where access to banking facilities and proper infrastructure is somewhatlimited, mobile is leapfrogging traditional payment methods and providing much neededservices to the everyday man. Simply scan the Snapcode at the checkout of a store andentering your pin code.and you are good to go!

Mfarm-An app that produces healthy yields for everyone

An app that was developed in Kenya for the African market, Mfarm is the inside source forKenyan farmers looking for up-to-date information on crop prices and farming-relatedmatters. Farmers can search information on the retail price of their products, buy theirfarm inputs directly from manufacturers or find buyers for their produce. Thistransparency tool not only eliminates the need for a middleman which ensures thateveryone involved gets a good deal, but it also ensures that perishable crops can be soldwithin a suitable time frame.

mPedigree-Medicine that gives consumers peace of mind

Founded in Ghana in 2007, this SMS based application is helping protect consumersfrom the issue of counterfeit pharmaceuticals. Users simply input a serial number intotheir mobiles that they obtain from scratching a verifcation strip off of the box ofpurchased medicine. The registry then confirms the quality of the medicine purchasedwith an SMS. In a continent plagued by sickness having standard issue medicines athand is a neccessity and validating the authenticity of medicinal products will help tofurther protect those in need!

From instant messengers replacing the traditional SMS to using ones mobile for everyday transactionsto checking local produce prices in real time, Africa is leading the way forward with its pioneeringinnovation in the applications market and helping real people tackle real issues!

Take a look at how AMGOO's handsets took the Honduran market by storm with its innovativesolutions!