With Africa gradually turning into a digital and technological hub, App developing and usage is on the increase and the continent has developed a strong taste for smartphones and hence Apps for phones
The influence of innovation on African countries’ developmental progress continues to be one of the most frequently discussed topics at high-powered meetings like this year’s World Economic Forum Africa.
Many of the discussions on panels or in private conversations with presidents and captains of industry and leaders of social causes often come down to finding new approaches and principles to tackle many of the intractable challenges faced on the continent.
With Africa gradually turning into a digital and technological hub, App developing and usage is on the increase and the continent has developed a strong taste for smartphones and hence Apps for phones.
We look at some of the Apps that made a mark on the African market this year.
Carter is an App that creates a platform for sellers and buyers of cars in South African. The App has a matchmaker functionality to help users find the car most suitable for their needs. Security is assured since App only deals with dealerships that are accredited by manufacturers.
A church administration App that helps connect church members and leaders through technology. It has features that help organize members into sells and provides platform for electronic payments as well as sharing scriptures and church events and programmes. The App seeks to provide “seamless administration, effective data management and instant mobile communication for church administrators and congregations.”
Vula Mobile
Vula Mobile is a South African medical-based app that simplifies referral system used by health practitioners by connecting general healthcare workers directly to specialists. The health practitioners can make referrals, get advice, find information, and undertake diagnostic tests, all through their mobile phone, resulting in more accurate diagnoses and more appropriate referrals. The app, which won the Most Innovative App award at the 2015, MTN App of the Year Awards is available for free on iTunes.
Feastfox
Feastfox is a mobile app for eating out at the best restaurants, bars, and cafés near you. The spontaneous eating-out app allows you to book a table at one of their 60 partnering restaurants in Cape Town without having to call or wait for a table.
WumDrop
South African App WumDrop is the African version of Uber operating in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Users type in their pick-up address, sender name, and contact details and then repeat for the drop-off details. Additional instructions can also be entered to ensure a proper delivery.
HelloFood
HelloFood offers the convenience of allowing users in Ghana to order food at a click of a button. Users are given a variety of restaurants to choose from based on their location. The app also offers exclusive deals to save you money. HelloFood was recently awarded the Best Mobile App Company of the Year at the 5th edition of the Ghana Telecom Awards.
iROKOtv
IROKOtv supplies consumers with the freedom to choose their own programming. The Nigerian app has over 6,000 Nigerian and Ghanaian films, along with a selection of other movies. Users get to download their favourite movies and TV series after signing up and subscribing to the service provider for around $2.50 per month. They are able to watch the movies and TV series offline on their Android device. The app can also be accessed online.
Esoko
Esoko is a communication app that helps agro-based organizations connect with farmers. The App now houses agricultural content and on-the-ground deployment services for any business needs with regards to agriculture. Esoko currently operates in Ghana, Kenya, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Benin, Madagascar and Mozambique.