Brastorne Enterprises

Brastorne Enterprises connects the unconnected across Africa, enabling rural villagers to access the digital world without smartphones or data bundles. Brastorne Enterprises provides digital access to more than 4.3 million users.

The Problem
650 million of Africa’s 1 billion people own mobile phones, yet most lack meaningful digital access. Experts project that 75% of Africans remain digitally excluded. Many only have access to ‘feature’ phones without apps. For those with smartphones, Africa is the world’s most expensive region for data — 1GB of mobile data averages $6.44, or a week’s salary for most of Africa’s poor. The cost of digital inclusion is simply too high under these circumstances. Everyone has a right to social connection and educational and economic opportunity. Yet, the digital divide leaves Africans disproportionately disconnected from the tools, opportunities, and services the internet and mobile apps provide. The current business model for telecommunications companies (telcos), mobile app developers, and the entire digital economy leaves Africa’s poor behind.

The Solution
Brastorne is committed to connecting 760 million Africans who lack meaningful access to today’s digital world. Brastorne’s technology converts feature phones into internet portals for less than $0.05 per day and operates by leveraging standard telco networks. Brastorne offers millions of feature phone users a chance at belonging, community, and opportunity. At the same time, Brastorne’s innovative technology works alongside telcos, offering them a way to tap into a market they otherwise cannot access. Brastorne serves as a bridge to help cross the digital divide and connect the unconnected.

Brastorne offers solutions that create app-like experiences on feature phones via USSD (text) and IVR (voice). Brastorne’s lead solution, mAgri, provides farmers access to advisory services, Wikipedia, weather and pest alerts, crop prices, and financial services. Farmers can also trade, chat, and email in local languages. Though the focus has been on agriculture, the USSD solution can cut across different contexts, such as health and education. Additionally, VukaChat solutions on the USSD platform drive customer acquisition by offering a WhatsApp-like feature that has been instrumental in the platform’s growth. The mPotsa feature provides users with information by operating as a Google-like service, using IVR to access important information such as job opportunities, public emergency alerts and updates, health tips, and legal services. Brastorne’s tech-savvy, community approach facilitates educational, economic, and social opportunities for all, providing the rural poor access to the digital world without smartphones or data plans.

Brastorne is operational in Botswana and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through partnerships with mobile network operators. Brastorne serves over 4 million users, and they were able to add over 1 million new subscribers in the DRC within the first year of launching. In 2022, Brastorne entered Cameroon and Guinea and will expand to Zambia, Madagascar, Mali, and Burkina Faso before the end of 2024. They plan to lead with their flagship mAgri and VukaChat platforms and expand product offerings once established in each market. Brastorne has seen a tremendous need for their product, and they can offer it at a price point that makes connection accessible and affordable for even the poorest communities. They will continue expanding their coverage to serve 49M users in the next three years through partnerships with mobile network operators across Africa.