Monthly Archives: December 2011

Senegalese research on innovation processes in their informal ICT sector

Posted on December 30, 2011 by

I came across some excellent research by Dr Almamy Konte and Mariama Ndong of Senegal. While I’m sure the original working paper in French must be far better than this drafted English translation, their key points are nonetheless something to … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Bottom of the Pyramid, Business Models, Culture, Economy, Income, Indigenous & Traditional, Informal & Flexible, Literature review, Mobile platform, Senegal, Strategy, Sub Saharan Africa | Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Business model innovation, with caveat

Posted on December 26, 2011 by

About 3 or so years ago, there was much fanfare about the impending launch of Airtime Airlines, a South African venture that planned to offer a whole new way to purchase flights. One could use airtime minutes and buy tickets … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Airtime, Alternative currency, Bottom of the Pyramid, Business Models, Buyer Behaviour, Cashless transactions, Informal & Flexible, Mobile platform, South Africa, Value

Ever smaller and smaller: how household budgets deal with rising prices and inflation

Posted on December 9, 2011 by

It is only an eighth of a kilogramme packet of sugar, yet many Kenyans can barely afford it. This particular size of sugar has many references among residents of Nyanza Province, such as kobole, Kadogo and Sukari ndogo. In Kisian … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Bottom of the Pyramid, Buyer Behaviour, Economy, Expenses, Income, Kenya, Sub Saharan Africa, User research, Value

Pondering a new prepaid research focus

Posted on December 7, 2011 by

Ever since I completed the first Prepaid Economy study which looked at how those on irregular income streams managed their household finances – focusing on rural Philippines and India – I’ve been curious about rural Kenya. I’ve long wanted to … Continue reading →

Posted in About, Africa, Airtime, Alternative currency, Banking, Bottom of the Pyramid, Business Models, Buyer Behaviour, Cashless transactions, Informal & Flexible, Kenya, Mobile platform, Rural, Sub Saharan Africa, User research | Tagged , , , , , ,

Book Review – Stealth of Nations: The global rise of the informal economy

Posted on December 2, 2011 by

The first best thing that I can say, on Robert Neuwirth’s Stealth of Nations, is that I’m grateful to the author for writing the book. I’ve just finished reading it, after purchasing it at a premium from Kinokuniya in downtown … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Assumption filter, Economy, global, Indigenous & Traditional, Informal & Flexible, Literature review, User research | Tagged , , , ,