The enabled.WORLD project continues to gain momentum. WORLD services are free to use on both networks in Eswatini and the operators have given their backing for the project with several new opportunities in the pipeline for next year.
With data at a premium in Eswatini, often teenagers have difficulty completing their homework without access to the internet. WORLD has been coming to their rescue as they do their research on our PUBLIC Topic called “echo”. Echo is a chatbot that allows students to search Wikipedia for a subject summary (with the header image) directly in the WORLD app, without needing to use their web browser with charged data.
The below screenshots are an actual example of WORLD working at its best, where a student had an assignment on justice…
During the year, WORLD engaged with the Ministries of Health, ICT, and Education in Eswatini including a number of schools and a few churches too. The churches are testing the app among their youth groups with a view to adopting WORLD for their communities. WORLD also spoke to the Board of Tourism and already has active engagement with one hotel, with more to follow.
Typically, every two weeks, over 100 000 copies of the OK Foods promotions pamphlets are printed in South Africa, trucked to Eswatini and then distributed across the country. Eswatini OK Foods is wanting to move to a digital promotional platform and has begun to promote WORLD with branding at point of sale in stores. They are encouraging their customers to download WORLD to see the OK Foods specials each week.
In October the WORLD team travelled to Eswatini for an intensive few days of app promotional sessions involving direct face-to-face customer engagement. One objective of this trip was to provide the design and development team with first-hand experience of the difficulties that the person-in-the-street has in loading apps. Some of the challenges that people face are:
– Insufficient memory on their phones – fortunately WORLD is less than 5MB
– Requirement to have data in order to download – in Eswatini WORLD allows free download from our site (www.enabled.world)
– Older versions of Android – WORLD is compatible from Android 4.1
– Some apps force the user to provide a mobile number or email address on registration – WORLD allows a person to remain anonymous if they prefer.
We have established connectivity to both operators’ mobile money platforms from WORLD’s Transact server, so development of the WORLD wallet is progressing. The wallet will allow money transfers as easily as sending a picture to a friend.
As technological developments tend to cause a divergence between urban and rural lifestyles, WORLD aims to empower those who are at risk of being left behind. In Europe, the internet is almost seen as a human right. Data costs are low and, in some countries, if you can’t afford it, you can get a government grant. Emerging economies have not reached this level of availability. It is WORLD’s objective is to bring affordable connectivity and financial services to people who have limited access.
Eswatini is the perfect environment to launch our services because the people there are early adopters of technology and embrace new services with enthusiasm, however many of them are still using legacy phones.
WORLD will connect the old with the new and give the rural life a touch of modern living by enabling both old feature phones and smartphones to be even more interactive with each other. Integration to SMSCs and USSD gateways in Eswatini will commence in the new year.
While the app is being promoted in Eswatini, progress is also being made with the three mobile operators in Botswana (BTC, Mascom and Orange) – all operators acknowledge the value in being able to offer messaging, information services (content) and money transfer in an environment that is entirely free to use for the end customer. Lesotho and Namibia will be the next markets that WORLD targets.
Enabled WORLD Ltd has secured commercial agreements with three mobile network operators and has attracted thirteen Founder Contributors. 2020 will see WORLD actively growing Citizens and expanding its footprint.
As the end of the year approaches, WORLD wishes everyone a happy festive season. See you all in the New Year.
