Archive for category: Technology

Information and stories about technology news.

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Satellite Technology Combating Yemen’s Drought Crisis

Satellite Technology Combating Yemen’s Drought Crisis Years of conflict in Yemen have destroyed vital infrastructure, leaving 20.7 million people in need of humanitarian aid, including 15 million without reliable access to clean water. The severity of these conditions has raised the demand for innovative solutions such as satellite technology.

Satellite technology sparks hope as a pivotal tool in transforming humanitarian disasters, enabling remote sensing to monitor, assess and respond to water scarcity. It creates access to clean water through satellites capturing vital data on rainfall patterns, soil moisture and land use, providing updated insights in a country with limited on-the-ground access. Thus, integrating satellite technology to combat Yemen’s drought crisis could lay the groundwork for long-term resilience in one of the world’s most water-insecure regions. 

Yemen’s Ongoing Water Shortage

Yemen faces one of the most severe water crises worldwide, with groundwater depletion occurring at twice the natural recharge rate. The cultivation of Qat, which consumes more than 40% of the country’s renewable water resources and 32% of all groundwater withdrawals, is a major driver of the depletion. Nearly 17.8 million people lack access to safe water and adequate sanitation services. Conversely, the national water network reaches less than 30% of the population, forcing many, especially women and children, to walk long distances only to fetch water. Overall, this scarcity has triggered major health crises, including the worst cholera outbreak in modern history, with more than 2.5 million reported cases and at least 4,000 deaths since 2016.

The ongoing conflict and political instability have further exacerbated water access and management, as infrastructure deteriorates and institutional oversight weakens, aggravating the crisis of water scarcity and aridity. The International Committee of the Red Cross has responded to this issue by rehabilitating boreholes and water stations, allocating chlorine tablets and supplying more than 3 million liters of water with 17 generators to prisons, hospitals and water projects to help reduce waterborne disease outbreaks. Despite these critical interventions, the continuous droughts highlight a growing humanitarian call for global concern driven by environmental, social and political challenges that demand urgent, coordinated action through satellite technology to combat Yemen’s drought crisis.

Remote Sensing Water Displacement

Advancements in satellite technology are revolutionizing Yemen’s approach to managing its prolonged water crisis. With nearly 80% of the population requiring humanitarian aid, traditional methods of monitoring groundwater levels have become increasingly challenging due to ongoing conflict and infrastructure degradation. Remote sensing tools, such as the Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land, have been pivotal in providing high-resolution data on evapotranspiration and irrigated areas, offering a comprehensive understanding of water usage. For instance, the Groundwater and Soil Conservation Project, founded in 2009, initiated implementing the use of satellite imagery to assess crop water consumption in areas such as Siham, Abiyan, Dhamar and Rada.

 The findings revealed that single-season crops, which constitute 76% of irrigated land, have a significantly higher evapotranspiration rate compared to rainfed crops, highlighting areas where water conservation efforts can be most effective. This data-driven technique, derived from the integration of satellite-based systems, enables real-time monitoring of groundwater recharge and abstraction rates, facilitating the identification of regions most at risk of depletion. This approach empowers local authorities and humanitarian agencies to plan targeted interventions, such as promoting water-efficient irrigation techniques and sustainable crop selection.

NGO Satellite Solutions

A consortium led by HR Wallingford is deploying an advanced satellite-based system to monitor Yemen’s groundwater remotely. Using data on rainfall and cropland, the system estimates groundwater recharge and usage in real-time, providing pivotal information to nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) amid limited ground access due to conflict.

This technology overcomes traditional monitoring challenges by enabling continuous tracking of aquifer depletion and forecasting future water availability under climate change scenarios. It supports preventive measures such as early detection of shortages and promoting efficient irrigation and crop management to reduce water stress. NGOs utilize this data to target vulnerable communities, coordinate relief efforts and implement on-the-ground conservation programs.

By offering transparent, scalable monitoring, the system fosters collaboration between NGOs and international partners, enhancing Yemen’s capacity to manage its severe drought crisis effectively and ensure a more ecologically balanced future. 

What’s Next?

By providing a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of water resources, satellite technology plays a crucial role in mitigating the impacts of Yemen’s water crisis and steering the nation toward a more sustainable future.

– Hibah Iqbal

Hibah is based in Houston, TX, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Digital Birth Registration in Nigeria

Digital Birth Registration in NigeriaIn Nigeria, more than 50% of children under 5 years old remain unregistered at birth, leaving more than seven million children without legal identity or access to essential services. Without formal documentation, these children often cannot receive vaccinations, enroll in school or access societal protection programs. Birth registration is a fundamental right under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It plays a critical role in protecting children from trafficking, child labor and early marriage. However, digital birth registration in Nigeria is a powerful tool for addressing this gap.

In partnership with UNICEF and the National Population Commission (NPC), the Nigerian government has launched an ambitious initiative to digitize birth registration in Nigeria. It aims to do this through an integrated Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (e-CRVS) system. The program aims to register more than nine million under 5 children and five million infants using mobile devices and a cloud-based digital database.

How Digital Registration Works

The pilot phase of the e-CRVS program was active at test sites in Nasarawa, Lagos, Kano, Borno and Enugu states, where local health facilities and mobile teams register children at the point of care. Digital tables and software allow frontline workers to capture live birth data and instantly generate certificates. The system is linked to Nigeria’s National Identity Number (NIN) platform, operated by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), ensuring each child receives a permanent identity number for life.

This integration allows public institutions to cross-reference birth records with healthcare, immunization and education systems. It also makes tracking child development easier, planning vaccine campaigns and ensuring social services reach the most vulnerable.

Health Benefits of Legal Identity

A legal identity is not just a certificate but a gateway to health equity. According to UNICEF, children enrolled through digital birth registration in Nigeria are more likely to be vaccinated, receive medical care earlier and attend school. In regions with low birth registration, health systems often struggle to track and follow up with children who miss vaccines or drop off routine care schedules.

Digital birth registration allows real-time data to be shared with national immunization registries, helping ministries of health identify gaps, forecast demand and avoid supply chain breakdowns. This is particularly crucial in rural areas where children are most at risk of preventable disease and malnutrition.

Supporting Sustainable Development Goals

Nigeria’s digital birth registration initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16.9, which calls for providing legal identity for all, including birth registration, by 2030. The initiative also contributes to broader SDGs focused on child health (SDG 3), inclusive education (SDG 4) and gender equality (SDG 5) by ensuring that girls and boys alike are counted and protected from birth.

Final Remarks

According to the latest edition of the ID4D Global Dataset, approximately 1.25 billion people do not have a digitally verifiable identity, primarily due to documentary requirements and distance to registration points. Many of these people reported the consequences following them into adulthood through financial and technological barriers. Nigeria’s scalable model could serve as a blueprint for other low and middle-income countries seeking to close the identity gap.

By digitizing birth registration, Nigeria is improving access to basic health and education services and restoring visibility, dignity and protection to millions of children who have long been left out of the system. As implementation continues, the program could reshape how governments track child welfare, deliver public services and uphold the rights of every child, starting from day one.

– Rebecca Lee

Rebecca is based in Scotland and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Fighting Diseases in Mozambique With an App

Diseases in MozambiqueMozambique, a country in southeastern Africa, has implemented a new digital system and app that helps community health workers in poor and rural areas fight diseases.

Community Health Workers in Mozambique

To ensure access to health care for everyone in the country, community health workers serve Mozambique’s more rural and impoverished areas. Community health workers diagnose and treat many diseases in Mozambique, including malaria, pneumonia, malnutrition and diarrhea.

They also provide family planning services, antenatal care, postpartum care and pregnancy tracking. Further, they give healthy children check-ups and follow-up care for patients with tuberculosis and HIV.

What is upSCALE?

upSCALE consists of two different applications. One is an app for supervisors of community health workers. The app allows them to monitor health care workers’ performance and monitor the stock levels of medical and health care supplies. It also allows them to schedule and follow up on supervisory visits.

The second application is designed for community health workers themselves. It features the Mozambique Ministry of Health’s official curriculum. It guides users through treatment, diagnosis, patient referrals, follow-ups, registration and routine health checks.

The program provides community health workers with mobile phones and supervisors with tablets to access the apps. Community health workers receive an initial five-day training on using the app, followed by a two-day refresher each year. Supervisors receive additional training tailored to their role. Between 2017 and 2022, the upSCALE app registered approximately 650,000 patients and supported health care services for more than 200,000.

How upSCALE Helps Fight Diseases in Mozambique

The app was originally developed to improve the quality and coverage of local health care. It aims to address community health workers’ inconsistent adherence to clinical guidelines and the inadequate supply of medications and health supplies. The app has largely been successful in both of these goals. By allowing supervisors to monitor the real-time stock of medication and health supplies, they can ensure that the stock never runs out.

Both apps have also helped the Ministry of Health fight diseases in Mozambique by giving the sector accurate and up-to-date information about the spread of diseases in the country. The information is also disease-specific, allowing the government to make informed decisions about community health interventions.

On a local level, the information enables supervisors to target their interventions and allocate resources more effectively. It has also been valuable for malaria treatment, helping to fill key knowledge gaps in malaria research.

Conclusion

The upSCALE app has proven to be a game-changer in Mozambique’s fight against disease. The country has strengthened health care delivery in underserved areas by equipping community health workers and their supervisors with essential digital tools. With improved adherence to clinical guidelines, real-time data sharing and better resource allocation, upSCALE saves lives and shapes the future of public health in Mozambique.

– Axtin Bullock

Axtin is based in Georgetown, MA, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Hakainde Hichilema’s Push for Digital Inclusion in Zambia

Hakainde Hichilema’s Push for Digital Inclusion in Zambia At the start of 2024, roughly two-thirds of Zambia’s population lacked reliable access to the internet, highlighting a critical barrier to national development. In light of this issue, Hakainde Hichilema, the president of Zambia, has established ambitious goals to connect his nation to the internet and bring Zambia into the digital age. President Hichilema and his government aim for 80% digital inclusion in Zambia by 2026.

What is Digital Inclusion?

Digital inclusion encompasses more than just internet access. It integrates digital literacy training to navigate the internet, high-quality tech support and access to applications that maximize the utility of internet access. Digital inclusion also incorporates measures that combat poverty. For example, easier access to job opportunities that someone without internet access might not discover. President Hichilema has diligently worked to tackle poverty in Zambia by enhancing digital connectivity through a variety of measures.

Hakainde Hichilema and Key Government Initiatives

Hakainde Hichilema has been the leader of Zambia’s United Party for National Development since 2006. He grew up in a rural community in the Monze District of Zambia, a region that he is now helping gain widespread access to reliable internet. His presidency is committed to pioneering how Zambia’s government can fight poverty by improving digital connectivity.

While running for president, he focused on education, jobs and digital inclusion in Zambia. His plan to improve digital inclusion in Zambia includes tax incentives, improvements to digital infrastructure, partnerships with companies for access to satellites, foreign partnerships with wealthier nations and building a free wi-fi network that all Zambians, including the poor, can take advantage of.

The details of these initiatives are as follows:

  • Taxes. President Hichilema has instituted tax waivers on ICT equipment to spur private sector investment. This has yielded $54 million in investment. As companies invest capital in the country, it stimulates the economy. In the long term, it fosters a tax base that can subsequently fund various social programs that address poverty and assist those most in need.
  • Infrastructure. Zambia’s government plans to link itself to all eight of its neighboring countries via high-capacity optic fiber cables. This is in addition to the 379 communication towers Zambia plans to erect, primarily in rural areas. Zambia has also launched a 5G network through collaboration with MTN and Huawei. These measures will greatly improve Zambia’s Wi-Fi network infrastructure, linking every citizen nationwide to the internet and enabling them to obtain information that was once inaccessible.
  • Satellites. Zambia has collaborated with Starlink to deliver affordable internet services to underserved communities. Through this collaboration, many rural communities now access the internet at public libraries, schools and hospitals. Starlink’s satellites provide internet access to hospitals, empowering them to acquire up-to-date information regarding medications or new health guidelines. Doctors can communicate with patients via online communication platforms. This allows them to support their patients should any issues arise after visits. This system closely mirrors practices in the United States (U.S.), where a doctor remains accessible weeks after a visit if issues emerge.
  • National Free Wi-Fi. ZamFree is an initiative to extend free Wi-Fi to Zambians in key public spaces, including markets, schools, airports and hospitals. Liquid Telecom, another organization working to broaden Wi-Fi access in Zambia, champions Hichilema’s plan to link 1,291 secondary schools to the internet. Free Wi-Fi narrows the divide between the rich and the poor. Individuals experiencing poverty can leverage the internet to participate in job training programs or enroll in school. As their skillset grows, they can secure employment and address workforce gaps more easily.
  • International Partnerships. The African Development Bank has considered establishing its headquarters in Zambia. This would not only generate jobs but also transform Zambia into a major hub for expanding internet access across much of Africa. President Hichilema has also initiated collaboration with the Czech Republic. The aim is to establish scholarships for professionals specializing in IT, AI and cybersecurity. These partnerships strengthen Zambia’s relationship with countries worldwide, enhancing diplomacy.

Ending Poverty with the Use of Digital Tools

Improvements to internet infrastructure in Zambia carry the potential to fight poverty by improving digital connectivity and empowering more people to utilize the internet. Indeed, doctors in hospitals can leverage the internet to reach patients, extending health care access to those facing unreliable transportation or mobility issues. Teachers can engage students across all levels of education, from pre-K through college. Overall, these examples, among many others, highlight the potential to fight poverty through improved digital inclusion in Zambia.

– Jeff Mathwig

Jeff is based in Philadelphia, PA, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Technologies to Prevent Food Insecurity in Morocco

Technologies to Prevent Food Insecurity in Morocco In 2024, Morocco suffered a 50% decrease in its wheat harvests, compared to the previous year, leaving many farmers and rural labourers without work or income. Although Morocco has always battled droughts and water shortages, the effects have become more apparent in the past decade. According to ROPUR, 40% of the Moroccan workforce participates in agricultural activities, with 137,000 jobs lost to the drought in 2024.

The lack of rainfall and reservoirs affects not just the rural populations in the most barren parts of Morocco, but also urban centers such as Rabat, which came close to a total dry up in 2023. Despite the inevitable threat of a water shortage in the country, foreign investors have partnered with scientists from Mohammed VI Polytechnic University to utilize technology in reducing the economic and health consequences associated with droughts and food insecurity.

Agritech and the Green Generation Strategy

A particular project that has worked effortlessly to solve food insecurity in Morocco is Agritech. The Green Generation Strategy (2020-2030), set out by King Mohammed VI, aims to modernise the Moroccan agricultural sector of the economy, not only to boost exports, but also to support the 73% of people living in rural Morocco who work in agriculture. 

As a product of this 10-year strategy, Agritech aims to provide precise and timely information to farmers through a mixture of satellite-based imagery, drones and artificial intelligence in order to help the sector better prepare for droughts. 

Al Moutmir: Irrigation and Job Creation

Agriculture in Morocco accounts for 14% of GDP, meaning slight shifts in the climate during growing seasons can have catastrophic consequences for locals. Among the frequent effects of climate shifts is a reduction in the rural labor force. However, through technological innovation, projects such as Al Moutmir have overcome some of these challenges.

Through its gravity-fed irrigation systems, some farmers have been able to reduce their field water losses from 40% to just 15%. In addition, the umbrella strategy that Al Moutmir forms a part of – Le Plan Maroc Vert –has created an additional 342,000 jobs since its inception in 2008. 

Sand to Green and Terraa

While organizations and partnerships in Morocco have taken direct action on combating food insecurity and water shortages, a hybrid of both physical and virtual uses of technology has benefited farmers. For example, Sand to Green uses technology to insert green spaces into previously arid lands or solar-powered desalination methods to increase the flow of appropriate water for agriculture.

Terraa, on the other hand, is a digital network that farmers use to distribute their products efficiently and cost-effectively so as to avoid waste in times of surplus. Through the combination of the two, farmers can work toward a more stable harvest, all the while selling their produce for a price that is fair for their work. As such, the Moroccan agricultural sector reinforces itself in the long term and expands its GDP. 

Looking Ahead

Although droughts are an inevitable reality in Morocco, state-of-the-art technology allows small and large-scale farmers to prepare for the worst. Although Morocco may seem like a distant country, 34% of Moroccan exports to the U.K. are fruits and vegetables, meaning a stable agricultural industry in Morocco leads to a consistent supply for British consumption. 

– Alfie Williams-Hughes

Alfie is based in Nottingham, UK and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Internet Access in Peru: Bridging the Digital Divide

Internet Access in PeruPeru, home to 33 million people, faces a significant digital divide. About 80% of citizens lack consistent internet access and 74% have no access at all. Among those older than six, 53% do not use the internet, placing Peru among the lowest internet traffic rates in South America.

Barriers in Rural Areas

Rural communities, especially those in the Andes Mountains and around Cusco, face the greatest access challenges. Harsh terrain prevents signal transmission and complicates infrastructure development. Many residents also lack the financial means to afford laptops or data plans. As most internet infrastructure concentrates in urban centers, the rural-urban divide continues to widen. As of 2023, 38% of Peruvians lived below the poverty line, with an additional 5.7% at risk of falling into extreme poverty. Amid these economic challenges, internet access remains a privilege rather than a basic utility. However, several organizations are working to change that reality by expanding digital access nationwide.

Improving Access Through Education

art=”1580″ data-end=”2164″>Jangala, an NGO focused on digital access for underserved communities, partners with local organizations to bring internet connectivity to Peru. In Cusco—where 20% of children never finish primary school and 38% never complete secondary education due to financial hardship—Jangala teamed up with the Latin American Foundation of the Future (LAFF). Together, they provided laptops to students and introduced the Jangala Big Box to schools. This technology delivers instant internet access, enabling students to complete homework, collaborate with peers and access new learning tools.

Students in Cusco say that access to online resources through Jangala’s Big Box helps them complete their homework and stay enrolled despite financial challenges. This step forward has created new learning opportunities for students who might otherwise have been forced to drop out, reducing long-term risks of poverty.

A Broader Effort: Internet Para Todos

Beyond Cusco, the initiative Internet Para Todos (Internet for All) works to expand connectivity across Peru. This partnership—formed by Telefónica and Meta (formerly Facebook)—focuses on cost-effective solutions that target remote, rural areas. Since 2016, the group has connected 2.8 million Peruvians and established 1,900 4G sites in more than 15,000 towns. Rather than relying on heavy capital investment, the project uses shared infrastructure and open-access models. This strategy significantly lowers costs and extends services to hard-to-reach populations.

Building Digital Skills

To ensure people can fully benefit from connectivity, Peru launched the Digital Basic Basket program. This initiative supports digital literacy and aims to equip individuals with the skills needed to navigate education, health care and job markets online. The program focuses on rural areas and supplies tablets to students, along with digital training for public sector workers such as teachers and police officers. These ongoing efforts coincide with Peru’s growing digital economy. In 2021, the country’s e-commerce sector reached $9.3 billion—a 35% jump from the previous year. Forecasts predict that by 2030, the market will grow to $15.3 billion.

Looking Ahead

Peru’s journey toward digital inclusion reveals that expanding access requires more than infrastructure—it also depends on digital skills, education and local engagement. Organizations like Jangala and Internet Para Todos play a key role in bridging this divide. By continuing to improve internet access in Peru by building low-cost networks, training communities and supporting long-term solutions, Peru could reduce poverty and unlock greater opportunity for all citizens.

– Felix Hughes

Felix is based in the UK and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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TikTok Is Addressing Stigma Around Mental Health in the Arab Gulf

Mental Health in the Arab GulfMental health awareness has become increasingly prevalent in the modern day. A study made by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019 found that worldwide, 970 million people suffer from mental health issues, predominantly anxiety and depression. Mental health has become a well-discussed issue for much of the Western world. The existence of schemes such as mental health days and mental health first-aiders in the workplace demonstrates many businesses’ commitment to improving their workers’ mental health.

In the Arab Gulf, mental health is often considered a taboo subject. Issues such as depression or trauma can be perceived as shameful and shouldn’t be discussed with others. However, TikTok is now being used as a medium to address this stigma around mental health in the Arab Gulf states.

Perception of Digital Mental Health Campaigns in the Arab Gulf

A 2024 study analyzing responses to a digital mental health awareness campaign in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) demonstrated that mental health remains an incredibly stigmatized topic. The study highlighted prevalently-held beliefs that mental illness does not exist and that such personal issues result from a lack of willpower, laziness or that it is a personal choice to be depressed or anxious.

Many in the survey also asserted beliefs that mental illness holds ties with religious and spiritual deficiencies, proclaiming that issues result from the influences of “Jinn” (evil spirits) or the “evil eye.” They often quoted practices of religious devotion, reciting the Qur’an or regularly praying as the solutions to these problems.

The widespread denial of mental illness throughout the GCC leads to a domino effect of issues, both socially and economically:

  1. Awareness and education around mental health is poor.
  2. Those suffering from issues of anxiety, depression or untreated trauma are unlikely to seek help from either professional services or to confer with others in their communities about their problems.
  3. Without seeking help or as a result of being criticized by others, these issues will likely exacerbate, potentially leading to emotional burnout, job loss, social exclusion or suicide.

Using TikTok To Breach the Stigma Around Mental Health

A few TikTok-based initiatives are currently being used to address the stigma around mental health in the Arab Gulf. As a free and popular digital platform, TikTok is a powerful tool for reaching those without access to formal mental health services. It uses approachable, entertaining ways to promote understanding and communication. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are the top two countries where TikTok has the most reach, with virtually 138.2% of Saudi Arabia’s population using the platform.

In 2024, TikTok began the “Change-Makers Program.” This initiative promoted creators’ and NGOs’ endeavors using the platform to prompt beneficial community changes. At the program’s launch, TikTok announced a list of 50 of these “Change-Makers,” including the first Change-Maker of UAE, Dr. Jana Bou Reslan. A Lebanese educational psychologist and professor, Bou Reslan has been posting TikTok content since 2022 and has garnered more than 220k followers.

Bou Reslan’s content offers Arabic-language education on how to tackle mental health issues such as high-functioning anxiety and low self-esteem. She also encourages well-being practices and open discussion of mental health. “Good mental health is of utmost importance for thriving communities, influencing everything from education to workplace productivity. Social media has been playing a vital role in reaching out to different audiences and promoting positive and relatable topics within our community,” she said.

Furthermore, in February 2024, TikTok MENAT hosted a Youth Mental Health Awareness Summit in Dubai. The event featured discussions by mental health professionals and TikTok’s safety experts. It focused on how social media can better equip young people in GCC with critical-thinking skills, promote media literacy and strive to build supportive digital communities. These strategies aim to improve the mental well-being of young people while also encouraging the building of digital skills that will improve future job prospects.

Improving Mental Health Awareness Can Help Alleviate Poverty

On the face of it, addressing the stigma around mental health in the Arab Gulf might not appear impactful when it comes to fighting poverty. However, the WHO notes that improving mental health care is inherently linked to reducing inequality and poverty across nations. One of the clearest ways this link manifests is through employment and income potential. Improving employment and income potential. Mental health can have a direct impact on individual employability and the economy as a whole.

According to the 2022 WHO World Mental Health Report, approximately 12 billion workdays a year are lost due to issues associated with anxiety and depression. By promoting open discussions about mental health, introducing workers to stress-reducing techniques and better equipping people for emotional regulation, people are less likely to burn out and hence not lose pay and/or their jobs. Unemployment can also be seen as shameful or indicative of personal failure in the Arab Gulf, especially for men and poor mental health also impacts the ability to find new work.

Another way mental health awareness can contribute to poverty alleviation is by supporting young people. It is estimated that worldwide, one out of seven adolescents exhibit symptoms of mental disorders. In the UAE, 17% to 22% of young people exhibit signs of depression and 28% show symptoms of anxiety. Better mental health awareness and support reduce school dropout rates. Also, by encouraging the diversification of skills in young people into digital literacy, generational poverty can be reduced through new fields of employment. Finally, improving skills in stress management can help with school and work pressures and improve coping skills in economically unstable households.

Final Remarks

In low-income countries, there is roughly one mental health professional per 100,000 persons. With such critically low access to services, free digital-based platforms such as TikTok provide easily accessible education on mental health and culturally appropriate content made in local languages.

They are a good entry point for NGOs looking to help communities. TikTok creators are busy addressing the stigma around mental health in the Arab Gulf to help people learn skills for personal empowerment, provide the means to form digital support networks and give access to advice where formal psychological services are unavailable.

– Reuben Avis-Anciano

Reuben is based in Oxfordshire, UK and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Fire Prevention in South Africa: The Lumkani Lifesaving Innovation

LumkaniAcross the globe, 1 billion people live in informal settlements, spaces often marked by overcrowding, flammable materials and poor infrastructure. In South Africa, townships and informal communities regularly face the deadly risk of shack fires. In 2022, Cape Town alone reported 190 deaths due to these fires. These disasters destroy not only homes but also essential documents, medicines and educational materials, deepening the cycle of poverty for already vulnerable families. Lumkani, a social enterprise based in Cape Town, is rethinking fire prevention for low-income communities. By using heat-sensitive, networked early warning systems, the company equips families with the tools they need to survive fires and break the cycle of poverty they often leave behind.

The Overlooked Crisis of Shack Fires

Fires remain some of the most destructive yet neglected challenges in informal settlements. In places like Khayelitsha—one of Cape Town’s largest townships—shack fires commonly break out during colder months when residents use open flames, paraffin stoves or makeshift heaters to stay warm. Dust, steam and proximity to cooking areas often cause traditional smoke detectors to fail, resulting in frequent false alarms or abandonment. Limited space between dwellings and poor access to firefighting services allow a single fire to engulf entire neighborhoods within minutes. Beyond the immediate destruction, fires severely impact household economies. Fires wipe out everything from income sources to the legal IDs families need to access health care or education. For families living day-to-day, recovery becomes nearly impossible.

Lumkani’s Heat Sensor Network

Founded in 2014, Lumkani developed a low-cost, heat-based detector designed specifically for fire prevention in shack environments. Unlike traditional smoke detectors, Lumkani’s sensors are triggered by rapid increases in temperature, which is a more reliable fire indicator in informal housing. What makes Lumkani unique is its radio frequency network. When one device is triggered, it automatically alerts others within a 60-meter radius, giving entire communities critical seconds or minutes to evacuate or respond before the fire spreads. Lumkani devices also send SMS alerts to residents and designated community leaders through a central database. The fire prevention system is affordable and scalable, with devices costing around $10 and has been rolled out across parts of Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban.

Results That Save Lives

According to Hollard, since rolling out Lumkani, the spread of 150 fires in South Africa has been limited. In collaboration with the International Red Cross, the Fire Sensors Initiative distributed 900 units. The results point to meaningful progress in saving lives and property. Lumkani also introduced micro-insurance for informal homes—one of the first of its kind in South Africa. For just $1.60, families can insure their homes against fire damage, enabling quicker recovery after disaster. This approach empowers low-income households not only to survive fires but to recover from them with dignity.

Why Fire Prevention Matters in the Fight Against Poverty

Poverty involves more than income; it includes constant exposure to risk. Shack fires in informal settlements are not random—they are predictable and preventable. When entire communities burn without warning, the long-term consequences trap families in poverty for generations. Lumkani offers a clear solution. By combining smart, locally tailored technology with community trust, this innovation saves lives and shields hard-earned progress from going up in flames. As global efforts to reduce poverty continue, solutions like Lumkani’s show that prevention may be just as powerful as direct aid. Sometimes, a $10 sensor could change everything.

– Rebecca Lee

Rebecca s based in Scotland and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Reducing Poverty with Emerging Technologies in Sub-Saharan Africa

emerging technologies in sub-saharan africaSub-Saharan Africa is experiencing a discreet but profound digital revolution. The region has long been seen as being on the fringes of global innovation but is now experiencing rapid connectivity and technological development growth. Between 2005 and 2011, mobile phone subscriptions rose by 400% and internet access increased from 2.1% to 24.4% of the population between 2005 and 2018. Additionally, the 2022 Global Innovation Index ranks five countries in sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya, Ghana and Senegal, among the world’s 100 most innovative countries. This dynamic is not just a question of infrastructure; it also reflects the rise in power of a local ecosystem of innovators, entrepreneurs and social startups that design solutions adapted to the realities on the ground. In this context, emerging technologies in sub-Saharan Africa, such as blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) are becoming concrete levers for poverty reduction.

Blockchain: A Tool for Financial Inclusion

In a region where a large part of the population remains excluded from traditional banking systems, blockchain offers a secure, transparent and decentralized alternative. In East Africa, the startup AZA Finance (formerly BitPesa) enables companies and individuals to make cross-border transactions faster and cheaper than traditional banking services.

Blockchain technology is also used to track the distribution of humanitarian aid, reduce the diversion risk and digital identities to populations lacking official documents and denied access to basic services. Thanks to these identities, millions can now open a mobile account, access microcredit or sign up for a health program.

AI for Health, Agriculture and Education

AI offers new perspectives in key areas of poverty reduction. In health, AI-based programs analyze X-rays for diseases such as tuberculosis, filling the acute shortage of doctors in rural areas. In agriculture, tools like UjuziKilimo in Kenya use sensors and algorithms to recommend the most profitable crops for farmers based on soil composition and climate forecasts.

On the education side, the M-Shule platform combines artificial intelligence and SMS to offer personalized educational content to primary school students. Each lesson adapts to the pace and level of the student, which is particularly useful in educational systems where class overcrowding and teacher shortages hinder learning.

IoT: Connecting Isolated Areas

The Internet of Things (IoT) is also transforming critical infrastructure. In areas not served by the national electricity grid, smart mini-solar grids managed remotely through connected sensors allow populations access to reliable electricity. IoT devices also monitor tank water levels or alert when a pump fails.

According to 360 Mozambique, these technologies are profoundly changing access to essential services and foreshadowing a new way of thinking about development centered on autonomy and local resilience.

M-Pesa: A Kenyan Success Story

Among the most emblematic examples of technological innovation against poverty, M-Pesa is central. Launched in 2007 by the operator Safaricom in Kenya, this mobile payment system allows its users to send, receive and save money via a basic mobile phone without a bank account.

According to a Massachusetts Institute of Technology study, M-Pesa helped lift some 194,000 Kenyan households out of extreme poverty between 2008 and 2014, including facilitating cash transfers, saving and access to microcredit. Many women, in particular, have used M-Pesa to create small businesses and gain economic autonomy.

The Case of Togo: When AI Helps to Target Emergency Aid

Beyond the private sector, African governments are also beginning to integrate emerging technologies into their social policies. The Novissi program, launched by the Togolese government in 2020, is a striking example. Using satellite data and artificial intelligence models, this program has automatically targeted the most vulnerable populations without requiring them to register manually.

Recipients received money transfers directly to their phones through the mobile money system. This device, deployed in a few weeks, helped more than 500,000 people affected by the COVID-19 crisis while limiting fraud and bureaucratic delays.

An Opportunity To Transform the Fight Against Poverty

The emergence of technology hubs, social incubators and public-private partnerships across Africa shows the potential. Organizations like the World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and private foundations actively support this inclusive digital transition.

Emerging technologies alone cannot eradicate poverty in sub-Saharan Africa, but in a context where traditional solutions are reaching their limits, they represent a powerful lever to strengthen resilience, promote empowerment and improve access to basic services. In sub-Saharan Africa, they empower millions of marginalized people to build a more just, dignified and sustainable future.

– Eléonore Bonnaterre

Eléonore is based in London, UK and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Digital Poverty in the Least Developed Countries

Digital Poverty in the Least Developed CountriesMillions are being left behind in the digital age, as digital poverty in the least developed countries becomes ever more entrenched in global society. As the world sees its’ fourth industrial revolution, the United Nations’ list of the 46 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) is seeing a growing digital divide. Just under a fifth of the world’s population lives in the least developed countries, and yet almost 70% of the collective LDC population still does not have access to the internet.

Background

Digital poverty in the least developed countries could deepen global socio-economic inequalities and exclude those living in LDCs from fully participating in the global economy. Digital poverty is also holding the growth of business back; in Senegal, 80% of people cannot use the internet for work, and in Rwanda this jumps to 99%. Elsewhere, in the LDCs of Mozambique, Tanzania and Uganda, only 10% of businesses have a computer.

As new technologies develop at an exponential rate in more developed countries, LDCs are left outpaced. For example, 5G mobile networks are becoming commonplace in more developed countries, whilst LDCs are still only able to work with 2G and 3G networks, according to the U.N. This digital gap reinforces disparities in education, employment, and economic growth. However, efforts are underway to understand the facts that contribute to digital poverty in least developed countries and to bridge the digital divide.

About Digital Poverty

Digital poverty refers to restricted or no access to digital resources such as the internet, computers and mobile phones. It also encompasses digital illiteracy, where individuals lack the skills or education necessary to utilize online tools effectively. Digital poverty exists on a spectrum—while some individuals may have limited access, others do not have access to technological advancements at all.

Globally, 3.7 billion people lack access to or do not use the internet, with sub-Saharan Africa particularly affected. Digital poverty disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including women, the elderly, and those with lower education levels.

Key contributing factors to digital poverty include:

  • High Costs: Internet services and devices remain unaffordable for many in LDCs.
  • Infrastructure Gaps: Unreliable electricity and insufficient ICT infrastructure hinder internet expansion.
  • Limited Education: Many individuals lack the skills to navigate digital technologies or do not recognize the benefits of being online, according to Telecommunications Policy.
  • Content Accessibility: Many LDCs lack sufficient digital content available in local languages.

The Impact

The impacts of digital poverty can limit other aspects of a person’s life, including their earning potential. More than 80% of jobs that are middle-skilled, and therefore higher earning, rely on individuals having skills in technology and access to digital platforms and technology, according to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Lower-skilled jobs, which do not have these requirements, tend to be lower paid. This results in a cycle of individuals in digital poverty taking on lower-income jobs, which further limits possible education, meaning that people cannot gain the digital skills they need to secure the higher-earning, digitally focused jobs.

In LDCs, this cycle could limit a nation’s economic progress, both in terms of its citizens’ economic opportunities and mobility, and in limiting an LDCs ability to partake as effectively in online trade, both nationally and globally.

Digital Poverty: Solutions

Amazon’s Project Kuiper is a low-cost satellite internet initiative that provides broadband access to underserved regions. Whilst precise costs are still not public, the project promises that its 3,232 satellite constellation will provide speeds comparable to 4G internet, addressing infrastructure limitations faced by LDCs.)

The UNDP commenced its Doha Program of Action (DPoA) in 2022, set to run through to 2031. The DPoA is a framework strategy which aims to accelerate digital accessibility in LDCs through five key steps, including early engagements with governments, tailoring digital solutions that “work for everyone,” creating result-driven roadmaps, improving technical capacities and sharing skills and expertise through archives and assemblies.

Whilst the DPoA is still in its’ formative years, initiatives like this, which focus on policy development, equitable digital solutions, and infrastructure expansion, in collaboration with governments, NGOs, academia, and private companies, have previously been successful.

Digital Literacy Workshops

In Bangladesh, the UNDP facilitated digital literacy workshops for female entrepreneurs, boosting their ability to generate income. Similarly, in Nepal, the UNDP collaborated with a local bank firm to equip women from rural areas with the knowledge of how to partake in online transactions.

UNDP reports on its website that an initiative in Afghanistan improved and expanded a digital payment system, which resulted in a growth in financial inclusion and the synchronization of financial services. These success stories demonstrate how global collaboration can boost access to the digital age and enhance local economies.

The Future

Bridging the digital divide extends beyond simple internet access—it directly impacts global poverty reduction. Improved internet access enables entrepreneurship and job creation while allowing individuals to access essential financial services. More than 25% of the global population lacks access to banking, restricting economic mobility, but with the right initiatives, this can change.

Expanding digital access could improve economies by enhancing trade, education and health care. Closing the digital divide could foster international economic growth, benefiting both developing and developed nations.

Closing the digital divide is not a challenge that any single country can solve alone—it requires global collaboration and, when used the right way, technology can even be a part of the solution. While recent technological initiatives provide hope, sustained investment in digital infrastructure, policy reform, and education will be necessary to ensure long-term success.

– Amber Lennox

Amber is based in Suffolk, UK and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr