Mission, Vision and Approach

Mission

To guide the development of appropriate mobile applications and test and scale mobile applications and services that contribute to poverty alleviation.
 
Vision
 
The widespread use of mobile devices used broadly to access knowledge and information to decrease poverty and improve lives and livelihoods. 
 
Approach
 
We begin with innovative and well honed strategies to quickly assess how best to meet needs with different applications and services. Our focus is on creating self-sustaining business models and processes that ensure the long-term viability of applications designed to improve the lives of the poor. To achieve this we collaborate with existing ecosystems, working with application developers, service providers, and content experts to deliver mobile services that have the potential to achieve lasting impact on poverty reduction.

In our two-pronged approach we develop applications and services which can be delivered to anyone with access to a mobile phone and also work with �trusted intermediaries� to improve �discoverability� and address literacy and multiple language issues.

To reach the broadest possible audience we collaborate with private sector companies, such as Google, MTN and Qualcomm, to develop applications and services which can be widely scaled.

We also establish networks that allow us to reach the "last kilometer"-- the population that is traditionally the most difficult to reach, and therefore in greatest need of access to information. In this model, local entrepreneurs serve as "Information Hubs" who have the ability to provide a range of information services to people in their communities.