DEG Promotes Digitalism in Africa

Today almost eight in ten people in Africa have a mobile phone contract and even most of the rural areas are connected to mobile phone networks. (DEG) has made a vital contribution to this expansion, for instance financing mobile operators.

The number of new African apps is on the rise. In particular Nairobi, capital of Kenya, is home to a vibrant and growing set for app programming. One example is an app developed by a Kenyan company, called ZiDi health care.

This mobile application, developed by the IT Company MicroClinic Technologies Ltd., helps doctors and hospitals to improve their patient management system, thereby enhancing the overall quality of local health care.

DEG, a subsidiary of Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), provides funds through co-financing from its up-scaling program, which is devoted to the promotion of innovative business models. The ZiDi health care app is just one example of DEG’s support to start-up companies. 

The mission of DEG is to promote business initiative in developing and emerging countries as a contribution to sustainable growth and improved living conditions of the local population. To this end, the company makes long-term financing available to private enterprises so to share the risks arising from the investment and make them less vulnerable to crises.

Additionally, DEG also provides consulting services to these enterprises, advising them on product development, risk analysis and further investments in other unrelated fields, ranging from agriculture to manufacture.