In this first edition of 2015, the M4D Impact Products and Services Quarterly Report, looks to identify the ways in which the Mobile for Development (M4D) industry continues to evolve and diversify into new areas, contributing to the development of countries across the emerging world. Our previous report, The M4D Impact Products and Services Landscape Annual Review 2014, highlighted products and services that were launched in more than one geography. In this edition, we look at those products and services that cover more than one subject area, or ‘vertical’, e.g. health, education and agriculture. This includes for instance the growing number of services who have integrated mobile money into their offering.
We have noted before that although the number of M4D products and services is increasing, the number that scale is not. This report highlights that these services, and the people that create them, continue to need additional support, which builds on the findings of the Emerging Market Entrepreneurs and Silicon Valley Report. The M4D Impact Programme has identified over 150 innovation spaces, such as technology hubs, incubators and accelerators, that are working towards creating an infrastructure that can support technology, entrepreneurship and innovation in emerging markets. However, in order for innovation spaces to serve entrepreneurs, they too need support, and so attention is needed to determine how innovation spaces can be sustainable.
The integral part of mobile in the day-to-day lives of citizens in the developing world has led to more organisations considering the role of mobile in promoting transparency and good governance, increasing accountability, and addressing corruption. The M4D Impact Tracker is now showcasing products and services that are attempting to tackle these challenges. It is a pertinent time to look at the potential role of mobile in this space, as March 2015 saw the world’s focus turn to the Nigerian elections, and the crucial role that mobile played in accountability and citizen engagement.
This document was originally produced as part of the former Mobile for Development Impact programme.