Providing access to the digital world without smartphones or data bundles
Team Leader
Naledi Magowe
Connecting the unconnected
Solution Pitch
The Problem
Out of Africa’s 1 billion people, 650 million own mobile phones, yet experts project 750 million Africans are digitally excluded. Africans remain disproportionately unconnected to the tools, opportunities, and services provided by the Internet and mobile apps. Their feature phones lack these apps and Africa is the world’s most expensive region for data, where 1GB of mobile data averages $6.44—a week’s salary for most of Africa’s poor population. The business model for telcos and mobile app developers, as well as the entire digital economy, is currently built in a way that leaves Africa’s poor behind.
The Solution
Brastorne leverages simple data protocols (IVR, USSD, SMS) to enable users to connect over their existing telco networks using their feature phones. With this solution, the user can access the full suite of Brastorne’s apps, analogous to what digitally-included smartphone users rely on every day but at a dramatically lower data cost. Brastorne also uses outbound SMS to alert users of new information and new services, even if they are logged out.
Using the power of IVR, Brastorne can provide users with valuable information and alerts such as disease or pest outbreaks or an approaching storm, and with optional voice prompts support more information, similar to USSD. Users can also call the number to receive valuable information across a variety of themes and topics, which is particularly useful for illiterate users.
Stats
Brastorne has lifted 60,000 small farmers above the poverty line, due to financial products offered on the platform.
Over 1.5 million people have used Brastorne’s platform.
Market Opportunity
For the rural poor, the internet is beyond reach. Traveling to nearby towns to access information and trade can cost up to $8 a day, and communicating via call and SMS can cost up to $1 a day. Brastorne enables these users to access information, markets, and communication for just $0.03 a day without the need for travel. With 279 million people who could benefit from this solution, it presents a $3 billion market.
Organization Highlights
Partnered with Orange group and country affiliates, Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation, Mercy Corps, Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana, among other organizations.
Partnership Goals
Brastorne seeks:
Resources to help scale.
Connections to mission-aligned organizations to raise equity capital.
What is the name of your organization?
Brastorne Enterprises
What is the name of your solution?
Brastorne
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
Connecting the unconnected
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Gaborone
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
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What type of organization is your solution team?
For-Profit
Film your elevator pitch.
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What specific problem are you solving?
Out of Africa’s 1 billion people, 650 million own mobile phones, yet over 750 million remain digitally excluded. High data costs, limited connectivity, and feature-phone limitations restrict access to online services. Current telecom and app business models often overlook low-income users, leaving millions disconnected from essential digital tools, and opportunities.
What is your solution?
Brastorne leverages simple data protocols (IVR, USSD, SMS) to enable users to connect over their existing telco networks using their feature phones. With this solution, the user can access the full suite of Brastorne's apps, analogous to what digitally-included smartphone users rely on every day but at a dramatically lower data cost. Brastorne also uses outbound SMS to alert users of new information and new services, even if they are logged out.
Using the power of IVR, Brastorne can provide users with valuable information and alerts such as disease or pest outbreaks or an approaching storm, and with optional voice prompts support more information, similar to USSD. Users can also call the number to receive valuable information across a variety of themes and topics, which is particularly useful for illiterate users.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
Broadly, we serve the rural poor across Africa, 80% of whom rely on farming for their livelihoods. Mpotsa and VukaChat provide access to critical information and social connection that many take for granted through social media, email, chat, and Internet platforms. mAgri creates economic value by connecting rural farmers to local agricultural markets, buyers, and service providers. More than 50% of African farmers are women and over 60% are under 30, positioning mAgri to significantly impact youth and female farmers by enhancing farming practices, reducing travel and data costs, and enabling profitable market access.
Through SMS engagement and user data insights, we have observed increased bargaining power from access to real-time market prices, improved incomes, and business growth. Farmers gain access to government training, financing for farm inputs, and market opportunities directly through mAgri. These improvements in knowledge, access, and economic empowerment can increase farmer incomes by up to 30%.
