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SMS BASED REPORTING AND DIGITAL FINANCIAL SERVICES
SIL: ICT4D Summer Series04-07-2013
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SMS Based Reporting
SMS based reporting refers to the use of SMS applications for streamlining service delivery
Advantages of SMS based reporting; Assisting in
information dissemination
Aids in monitoring implementation
Reporting user feedback
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Applications of SMS Based Reporting
Case study 1: Oro Verde programme, Columbia Type: FrontlineSMS,
Outgoing SMS information service providing market information
Advantages Ability to send a large number of messages The software does not require internet connectivity Low cost as users only pay the standard text message fee
Limitations Literacy of users a requirement Execution costly and cumbersome Verification of information can be time consuming
Application: Beneficiaries are dispersed and credible real time information is lacking Brac Programmes: AFSP
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Applications of SMS Based Reporting (contd.)
Case Study 2: MAMA, Bangladesh Type: Aponjon
Mobile messages delivered twice a week in two forms: SMS, or short 60-second “mini-skit” voice messages.
Advantages: Local actors are used to communicate
messages Low cost messages cost BTK. 2 Messages can be stored and accessed
when convenient Limitations:
Information not enough for transforming behaviour.
Not conducive in areas of low connectivity Application: Information access is a
key problem BRAC programmes: MNCH
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Applications of SMS Based Reporting (contd.)
Case study 3: Monitoring Essential Medicine Supply Programme, Uganda Type: mTRAC
SMS to track the health facility stock of essential medicine, disease incidence etc.
Advantages Avoiding unnecessary stock-outs Feedback messages report errors in data entry low maintenance costs as health workers use their own phones
Limitations Effective monitoring required for frontline level compliance
Application: Bottlenecks in service delivery due to insufficient information transfer from frontline to central levels BRAC Programmes: Health, BEP, Relief Assistance
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Digital Financial Services
Digital financial services refer to the use of Mobile Phone technology to offer financial services to the ‘unbanked’ or ‘under-banked’
Advantages for users Ability to safely store
and transfer money Lower transaction
costs Easy access Reduce barriers of
time and space Creation of new
markets
Number of Live Mobile Money Services for the Unbanked by Region, 2001–2012
Source: Global Mobile Money Adoption Survey, 2012
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Number of Registered and Active Customer Accounts of Digital Financial Services
Source: Global Mobile Money Adoption Survey, 2012
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Types of Digital Financial Services
Digital Financial Services (Mobile)
Mobile Payments and Transfers
Person 2 Person
Domestic Transfers
International Transfer
Customer 2 Bank
Institution 2 person
Microfinance Savings Micro-pensions Life insurance
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Comparing B-Kash Services with those of other Digital Financial Service Providers
Services Bkash, Bangladesh
M-PESA Kenya
EasyPaisa Khushaal scheme, Pakistan
MicroPensions , India
Making Payments- Merchant
Institutional payment
Micro-Fianance payments
Savings (interest bearing)
Micro- pensions
Life insurance
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Applications of Digital Financial Services
Energy Purchasing low cost
solar panels, Kenya Food and Livelihood
Pgms: Transferring Cash based
assistance to beneficiaries, Haiti
CCT’s: Transferring cash
assistance, Philippines Internal Finances:
Support for programmes and projects at the field level, East Africa