Mobile Technology for Craft Enterprise Development
The Africa Craft Trust is excited to announce that the Ford Foundation will be funding Phase 1 of their Mobile Technology for Craft Enterprise Development program in 2011. The exciting and innovative program will utilize mobile tehnologies and ICTs to grow the business of rural based craft entrepreneurs in three provinces(Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu Natal) over the next 2 years.
It will do so by:
- Increased the visibility of craft enterprises to markets through using information and communication technologies and other tools;
- Increasing craft enterprises' business and technical skills and knowledge;
- Increasing craft enterprises access to tailored mobile business solutions;
- Connecting craft enterprises with a supportive information network that increases their access to information and opportunities.
We believe that this effort has broad potential worldwide and plan on scaling it up regionally in Africa after the initial 2 year program.
"The cell phone is the single most transformative technology for development."
Jeffrey Sachs, Columbia University economist and emerging markets expert.
The program will be implemanted by The Africa Craft Trust partnering with Women's Net(technology NGO) and Open Africa(tourism NGO).
