Inclusive Growth
Altai Consulting has designed, pilot-tested and evaluated numerous inclusive growth and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives in Africa, the Middle East, and Central & South Asia. Our teams are supporting global and regional players to develop innovative solutions to better target underserved populations, to foster local economic growth and to boost social inclusion.
Support to the Joint Unilever and FCDO TRANSFORM Programme
Impact assessment of the joint Unilever and FCDO 5-year programme TRANSFORM that aims to support research and early-stage innovation on behaviour change and business models that deliver market based solutions for household needs in developing countries. Projects supported by TRANSFORM include research and innovative business models to address affordable sanitation, accessible health products and services, safe drinking water, low cost, clean energy and safe cooking.
Understanding the Mobile Disability Gap – GSMA / FCDO
The project aims at better understanding the digital access gap experienced by persons with disabilities and characterise their use of mobile products and services to inform stakeholders in the mobile ecosystem. The findings are based on a large-scale research conducted in Kenya and in Bangladesh among 2,000 People With Disabilities (PWDs) and on interviews with Disabled Persons' Organizations (DPOs) as well as members of the digital ecosystem. The public report is available here
Driving the Affordability of Internet-Enabled Handsets - Innovative Approaches and Business Models from LMICs – GSMA / FCDO
Altai Consulting was commissioned by the GSMA to research innovative approaches and business models that have been successful at driving the affordability of internet-enabled handsets in Low- and Middle- Income Countries (LMICs). The research also aimed at providing practical recommendations to the industry for making internet-enabled devices more affordable, particularly for the underserved segments.
The project consisted of four main stages: i) Inception, which consisted of in-depth secondary research to identify initiatives driving handsets affordability and the design of an analytical framework; ii) 30 stakeholders interviews with MNOs, PAYG solar companies, handset manufacturers, government officials, financial institutions, NGOs, private companies, etc.; iii) Case studies, which consisted of 15 additional interviews to deep-dive on five initiatives considered as particularly successful to drive the affordability of handsets; iv) Analysis and report drafting.
Leveraging ICT for Inclusive Education in Francophone Africa – HI
Altai Consulting was commissioned by Handicap International to identify Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) that have the potential to support inclusive education in Francophone Africa. The project aimed at identifying ICT (hardware, software, content, etc.), available in French, and that could be used in low-income settings to improve access to education of children with disabilities.
Altai conducted in-depth secondary research to identify inclusive ICT that can be used in school settings, conducted 24 key informant interviews with experts (academics working on disability, education experts, NGOs, organisations of persons with disabilities, representatives of the mobile industry, international organisations, etc.) and 14 interviews with potential users of these technologies (children with disabilities, parents and teachers of these children, etc.) in Benin, Senegal and Niger. The output of the project was the creation of a repository of ICT that can support children with different types of disabilities access and attend inclusive education in Francophone Africa.
Initiative to Boost Mobile Penetration & Usage in Rural Chad through Improved Access to Electricity in Central Africa – GSMA
Altai has designed and pilot-tested business models to boost mobile penetration & usage in rural areas through improved access to electricity and SME development. The goal of the project was to find a “win win” solution whereas rural individuals benefit from affordable energy to charge their handsets and are incentivised to reinvest part of the amount saved in airtime. The solar panels are powered by sustainable village-level SMEs supported at launch phase with seed money from the mobile operator.
Benchmarking of Inclusive Marketing Initiatives Led by FMCG Companies, Social Enterprises and NGOs in Africa and South Asia
Altai has benchmarked inclusive marketing initiatives led by FMCG companies, social enterprises and NGOs with experience in targeting women and hard-to-reach clients in low and middle-income countries. Lessons drawn informed the development of a marketing handbook, which was presented to global players in emerging markets.
Advisory on the Development of the Award-winning Almas Line Targeting Underserved / Bottom of the Pyramid (BoP) Women
Altai has advised Asiacell, the largest mobile operator in Iraq in developing the Almas Line to increase penetration and usage of mobile among underserved/bottom of the pyramid women. The initiative was rewarded at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the world’s premier industry event.
Study to Promote Inclusions in Regional and Secondary Markets
Altai Consulting has been commissioned a market assessment of 12 markets by a major international donor with a view to formulate potential interventions with programming that targets local agricultural value chains, agricultural development and inclusion of women and youth. The research covered regional and secondary markets in Northern Bahr al Ghazal, Western Bahr al Ghazal and Warrap States.