Practical Insights on Business for ICT4D Projects

What are Business Ideas for ICT4D Solutions?

Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) support and enable sustainable economic and social development in developing countries. There are many potential business ideas for ICT4D solutions, including:

  • Mobile health services: Developing mobile applications or platforms that provide health information and services, such as telemedicine, disease tracking, and medical appointment scheduling, in areas with limited access to healthcare.
  • Agricultural technology: Developing technologies such as precision agriculture systems, irrigation systems, and weather monitoring systems to improve the efficiency and productivity of small-scale farms.
  • Educational technology: Developing educational platforms, such as e-learning platforms or mobile apps, to provide access to education in remote or underserved areas.
  • Renewable energy solutions: Developing technologies such as solar panels or wind turbines to provide clean, affordable energy in areas without access to traditional electricity.
  • Digital financial services: Developing technologies such as mobile banking or digital payment systems to provide financial services to underserved communities.
  • Disaster response and management technologies: Developing technologies such as early warning systems or communication platforms to assist with disaster response and management efforts in developing countries.
  • Water and sanitation technologies: Developing technologies such as water purification systems or improved sanitation systems to address water and sanitation challenges in developing countries.
6 Technologies for Monitoring and Evaluating Programs in Insecure Environments

6 Technologies for Monitoring and Evaluating Programs in Insecure Environments

Published on: Sep 26 2018 by Wayan Vota - Comments Off on 6 Technologies for Monitoring and Evaluating Programs in Insecure Environments
In some of the most insecure humanitarian contexts, monitoring aid programmes is particularly important to humanitarian organisations. Did assistance get to the...
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective ICT4D Initiatives in Africa

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective ICT4D Initiatives in Africa

Published on: Aug 30 2018 by Wayan Vota - 2 Comments
Way back in 2001, the SATELLIFE PDA Project demonstrated the viability of cutting-edge handheld computers at the time – Personal Digital Assistants or PDAs...
How to Scale Your Impact with Internal Communications

How to Scale Your Impact with Internal Communications

Published on: Aug 20 2018 by Catholic Relief Services - Comments Off on How to Scale Your Impact with Internal Communications
I am a technical nerd and I’ve struggled for years to understand why solutions I worked on did not get widespread adoption or go to scale.  I’ve learned...
We Need a GSMA for Banks to Make Mobile Money Available Everywhere

We Need a GSMA for Banks to Make Mobile Money Available Everywhere

Published on: Jul 05 2018 by Catholic Relief Services - 1 Comment
Mobile money for the poorest, and particularly savings groups, has a long way to go and one of the largest obstacles are traditional banks.  Savings groups give...
Where Are You in Your Constituents Circle of Trust?

Where Are You in Your Constituents Circle of Trust?

Published on: Jun 28 2018 by Wayan Vota - 1 Comment
We all have varying circles of trust. We have people close to use that we trust completely, like a spouse or a parent, and we will do what they say even if we don’t...
IYCF Image Bank: Better Visuals for Your Social and Behavior Change Programming

IYCF Image Bank: Better Visuals for Your Social and Behavior Change Programming

Published on: Jun 27 2018 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on IYCF Image Bank: Better Visuals for Your Social and Behavior Change Programming
We’ve probably all been guilty of not putting our best foot forward, especially when it comes to developing images for our social and behavior change (SBC) programs. Maybe...
The Role of Digital Ninjas at DFID

The Role of Digital Ninjas at DFID

Published on: May 02 2018 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on The Role of Digital Ninjas at DFID
DFID operates an elite group of 180-plus Digital Ninjas who are our conduits and advocates for everything digital within the organisation. Yet it wasn’t always...
7 Step Guide to Making Your Digital Development Program Sustainable

7 Step Guide to Making Your Digital Development Program Sustainable

Published on: Apr 25 2018 by Wayan Vota - Comments Off on 7 Step Guide to Making Your Digital Development Program Sustainable
While there are how to guides and toolkits to plan the initial implementation of a digital development program, there are fewer guides for the issues that organizations...
Wow! A Federal Indictment of an ICT4D Leader

Wow! A Federal Indictment of an ICT4D Leader

Published on: Apr 12 2018 by Wayan Vota - 1 Comment
In September of 2005, organizations and activists from around the world working on mobile technology in activism met together in Toronto. They drafted a Declaration...
What Are Your ICT4D Challenges? Take a DIAL Survey to Learn What Helps and Hurts Us All

What Are Your ICT4D Challenges? Take a DIAL Survey to Learn What Helps and Hurts Us All

Published on: Mar 26 2018 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on What Are Your ICT4D Challenges? Take a DIAL Survey to Learn What Helps and Hurts Us All
When it comes to the impact and practice of our ICT4D work, we’re long on stories and short on evidence. My previous organization, SIMLab, developed Frameworks...