The African Development Bank (AfDB) has entered into a partnership with Mobile Accord to process mobile-based surveys in Africa
According to the chief economist of the AfDB, Mthuli Ncube, the partnership would make it possible for the bank to gauge the pulse of the African youth.
“Through this partnership with mobile telecommunications company Mobile Accord, we will be able to feel the real pulse of the youth and the development impact of AfDB because we can gather more accurate information in real time,” he said.
The announcement came in the wake of discussions at the AfDB for better engagement of technology to support the bank’s initiatives on the continent, including its Youth Employment and Transforming Africa projects, he said.
Mobile Accord’s service, GeoPoll, a polling platform that uses text messaging to collect substantial data from mobile subscribers, is the engine of this partnership.
The AfDB’s intention will be directed at continuing polling across the African continent with GeoPoll.
The project will allow the concerns, hopes and aspirations of African youth to be heard on such a large scale for the first time, he noted.
“We are excited about collaborating with the AfDB. Through this partnership, GeoPoll will enable the voices of Africa to be shared with the world,” said Mobile Accord founder, chairperson and GeoPoll pioneer, James Eberhard.
