NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Thursday, December 29, 2016

MAPUTO: The internet is a key enabler of social development and education. While internet services have shown phenomenal success in other parts of the world, access to the internet remains low in Africa, especially in the rural communities. According to the Internet World Stats for Africa 2016, only 9.3% of people across the African continent are internet users.

Mozambican technology startup company Kamaleon has developed an innovative way of promoting digital literacy through a shared platform called the ‘Community Tablet’ (Tablet Comunitário). The Community Tablet is a solar-powered mobile computer with touch screen displays and virtual keyboards built in on a trailer to provide internet access to remote areas. In order to facilitate interaction with the virtual world, Kamaleon also offers training on how to use the internet and its features to members of the community and the local workforce.

“A few years ago anyone who could not read and write was considered illiterate, but today this concept goes further, encompassing people who do not know how to use information and communication technologies. Health organisations and schools in Africa often face a unique set of obstacles, including a lack of access to much-needed health education and counselling platforms. The Community Tablet was created to help solve these problems,” says Dayn Amade, founder and CEO of Kamaleon.