The World Bank announced today the winners of its first-ever Apps for Development competition. The contest launched last October as part of the Open Data Initiative and invited developers and development professionals to create mobile applications to help solve world problems apply their skills toward the Millenium Development Goals. A total of 107 applications were submitted form 36 countries across every continent.
Honorable mention, for example, went to Treepet from Mexico, that teaches people about the realities of worldwide deforestation via a game in which you plant a seed, nourish and water it, and try to restore an ecosystem. One of the winning apps helps the Bank directly: StatPlanet World Bank from Australia uses the 3000-plus indicators available from the World Bank database in interactive maps and graphs.
At MobileActive.org, we’ve written about initiatives and research in the field of mobile money and mobile banking. It's a burgeoning industry and there is no shortage of relevant projects, services, and advances. Which is why we’re interested in the Mobile Money Toolkit from the International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group.
We caught up with Margarete O. Biallas of the IFC to learn more about the toolkit and how it can be used by our MobileActive.org readers.
Q: Who would be interested in using the Mobile Money Toolkit?
A: Anyone engaged in providing electronic banking services using mobile technology.
Developing Mobile Money Ecosystems data sheet 1133 Views
Author:
Beth Jenkins
Publication Date:
Jan 2008
Publication Type:
Report/White paper
Abstract:
The paper gives an overview of the players in mobile payment schemes and their respective roles in advancing mobile payment and banking in developing countries.
You are invited to CrisisCamp Ignite Session at the World Bank!
CrisisCamp DC is part of a global movement who is bringing together volunteers, academia, non-profits, companies and government officials to share best practices and lessons learned to advocate for further use of technology and telecommunications to assist citizens and communities during crisis.
Beauticians in Pakistan, sex-workers in Serbia, taxi drivers in Thailand. What do they have in common? They're all being helped by mobile phones which make it cheaper to start up businesses, and reduce the cost of operating. Besides sparking off "entrepreneurship," mobiles across the globe are giving a spurt to productivity, says a June 2008 World Bank report on The Role of Mobile Phones in Rural Poverty Reduction.