The biggest leap for MSMEs in low-income countries comes from low-tech IT solutions. They facilitate access to finance and basic services, such as healthcare and energy. Together with Fundes, we published a report that scanned available IT solutions that enable MSMEs to grow and become more productive. This research identifies a range of technologies that help make value chains more inclusive. Most of the technology solutions can be grouped into three distinct categories: 1) online platforms, 2) SMS services (many of which work on feature phones) and 3) mobile applications (usually dependent on smartphones). They can all be applied even in low-resource settings, thus making them very attractive to companies operating in emerging markets, as well as their business partners.
The Use Of IT Solutions in Inclusive Value Chains
Alice Schmidt, Isabel von Blomberg
Working Papers