A mobile platform connects more people globally than any other technology. This is a fact, even more in The Gambia where mobile internet is the only form of connectivity available to most users. This vast reach of mobile networks has made mobile technology the preferred platform for creating, distributing and consuming digital content and services across the globe. Therefore, there is an opportunity for mobile operators and start-ups to explore more ways to work together to advance the digital economy in the Gambia.
A large percentage of The Gambia’s rural areas still lack access to the basic services such as health care, electricity, clean water and financial services. However, mobile technology has emerged as a tool to extend these critical services to the under-served communities. It is an opportunity to expand services such as mobile money to increase financial inclusion or adopt platforms such as Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) to supply clean solar energy system.
With over 50% of the little over 2million population of The Gambia live in the rural areas, with farmers in these rural areas representing over 75%, and then factoring the 67% mobile penetration rate, it is evident that mobile payment systems hold great promises to improve the financial lives of the poor Gambian farmer. But problems of cost, complexity, management, and even human behaviour stand in the way of progress.
It’s about time the Government (MoFEA and CBG) openly encourages this innovation that will bridge the information and financial gap in rural areas at scale. COVID-19 has really shown Gambia’s sluggishness were other nations have made huge strides in the use of Mobile Money. There is not a better time to seize this opportunity and scrap the bureaucracy and play catch-up to digital transformation. With Mobile Money, critical information can be delivered to farmers, to make better & informed decisions that will boost their productivity and profit.
Through the digitisation of agricultural payments, the mobile phone will enable the currently mostly unbanked smallholder farmers to access formal financial services. Service Providers can provide a Mobile Money (MM) service – which refers to the money held in ‘mobile wallets’ as a form of electronic money – that enables phone owners to send, receive and store money on their phones. Farmers, will then be able to receive payments for their produce, purchase farm inputs (seeds, fertilisers), access credit facilities, ploughing services, access real time farming information – prices, weather etc, WHILST STAYING AT HOME.
With just few clicks on a mobile phone, these services can be accessed without fuss through the mobile money wallet. There is also the peace of mind in doing business, without the worry or fear whether the physical money handed to the bus driver will arrive at the intended recipient.
CODID-19 is undoubtedly posing a threat, but has also created an opportunity. COVID-19 should not lead to food crises in Africa. Smallholder farmers are our lifeline. As a government we need to act NOW before it’s too late.
Author: Banky Njie is the Business Development Officer and Gender Focal Point for the National Agricultural Land and Water Management Development Project (Nema-Chosso
