The Role of eArziki and Mobile Money in Ghana's Farming Future
By Benjamin Irani
On January 29 – February 02, 2024, I found myself in Ghana, a vibrant and culturally rich country, to lead an eArziki training workshop for community members and local partners. It’s an exciting opportunity to engage directly with the people who are at the heart of the WeGrow project. This initiative is transforming the agricultural landscape in Ghana by leveraging digital technology to enhance farming practices and improve livelihoods.
I’ve also been meeting and going to meet with key technology partners during my time here. One such meeting is with representatives from MTN Momo, a prominent mobile money service provider in Ghana. Our collaboration is focused on integrating the MTN mobile money system into the eArziki app. This integration is crucial as it will enable the app to manage loans and loan repayments more effectively, thereby providing a seamless and efficient financial management system for farmers.
The WeGrow project in Ghana is an innovative initiative focused on enhancing agricultural productivity and improving livelihoods through digital transformation. It’s a collaboration between CARE, BLUETOWN, and other local strategic partners. The core objective of this project is to foster sustainable and resilient agricultural production and enhance market linkages for smallholder farmers in Ghana.
One of the key elements of the WeGrow project is utilising BLUETOWN’s LOCAL CLOUD, a platform for distributing digital content. This platform is crucial for providing farmers with data-free access to vital information such as weather forecasts, learning models for new agricultural methods, knowledge of crops, and updated market prices. The aim is to empower farmers with this digital information to improve their agricultural production and achieve greater yields.
The project combines CARE’s community mobilization and livelihood expertise with BLUETOWN’s rural internet solution and digital content platform. This synergy will significantly impact the agricultural sector by leveraging new digital opportunities for efficiency and reach. By the end of the project, it’s anticipated that 157,500 potential users will be reached, gaining access to agricultural information services on the LOCAL CLOUD.
Parallel to this, the eArziki app comes into play, complementing the WeGrow project’s objectives. eArziki, developed by CARE Denmark, is an innovative digital platform that promotes financial inclusion and community empowerment, especially in underserved areas. It offers a variety of features for community financial management, including digital Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), which automate tasks like record-keeping, enhance transparency, and provide more convenient access to a range of financial services.
In the context of the WeGrow project, the eArziki app is instrumental in managing the financial aspects related to the loans given to farmers for purchasing smartphones. This enables farmers to access the digital and online financial services necessary for leveraging the resources provided by the WeGrow project. The app ensures secure, efficient, and user-friendly financial management, which is crucial for the sustainability of such initiatives.
By integrating the digital solutions offered by the eArziki app with the resources and information provided through the WeGrow project, there’s a comprehensive approach to transforming the agricultural sector in Ghana. This combination of digital tools and financial management services is poised to revolutionize how smallholder farmers in Ghana approach agriculture, opening doors to enhanced productivity, increased market access, and overall economic growth.
The impact of these initiatives aligns well with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, fostering innovation, and ensuring gender equality by empowering communities and breaking down barriers to progress.
I extend my deepest gratitude to Peter Bruun Clausen, Senior Programme Manager, whose exceptional leadership has been a cornerstone of our success.
My heartfelt thanks also go to CARE in Ghana, for their invaluable partnership and relentless commitment to our shared goals. Their support has been pivotal in navigating the challenges and seizing the opportunities that have come our way.
To Unity Network, we are immensely grateful for your collaboration and the innovative solutions you’ve brought to the table. Your contributions have been critical in enhancing our operational effectiveness and outreach.
Lastly, to Blue Town, your support has been instrumental in connecting us with essential resources and networks. Your commitment to fostering growth and development has played a key role in our achievements.
