Leveraging EcoCash mobile money services for crowd funding donations for people impacted by cyclone
Applicant name: Cassava Smartech and Comviva
Innovation Name: EcoCash crowd-funding for Cyclone Idai relief activity
Innovation Type: Service
Website: https://www.ecocash.co.zw/
Mission: Leveraging EcoCash mobile money services for crowd funding donations for people impacted by cyclone
Innovation Description: On March 15, 2019 Zimbabwe (Zim) was hit by its worst-ever cyclone ‘Idai’ killing 344 & affecting 270,000 people. This big emergency required quick financial support not only from govt but also from people through crowd-funding
Collecting cash is time-taking & difficult in cash-strapped Zim. Hence, EcoCash, Zim’s largest mobile-money service used by 80% adults was employed
Within few hours of calamity, EcoCash created digital wallets with biller code 320041 & mobile no +263786321671 & launched on March 16. Zimbabweans were able to donate money instantly using EcoCash via mobile-phone by just typing biller code & donation amount. The process was similar to paying bill, hence people were familiar. Zim Diaspora globally were able to donate via popular EcoCash Diaspora service to no +263786321671 just like sending remittance. EcoCash advertised code/no via SMS & social-media.
In just 10 days RTGS$ 210,898 was donated by 22,118 people. Overall RTGS$ 239,643 was collected by EcoCash crowd-funding & used for food-supply & rescue operation
Status of Innovation: In-market
Innovation Active Since: 03/162019
Applicant Type: Private Company
Headquarter City: Harare/Gurugram
Headquarter Country: Zimbabwe/India
Year Founded: 1999
Main Category
Main Category Choice: Remittances For Social Impact
Why do you think you should win this category?:
Multiple USPs:
Quick & flexible platform: EcoCash created new digital wallets for relief fund in minutes & launched it on next day of calamity
Expansive: Zimbabweans globally both in Zim & in Diaspora contributed via EcoCash/EcoCash-Diaspora
Complete digital process: Payments & marketing were digital. Customer paid using mobile money. EcoCash advertised biller code via SMS & social-media
Instant: Cash collections need time. But with EcoCash money got instantly transferred from donors EcoCash wallet to relief fund EcoCash wallet, from where it was immediately used for aid
Simple familiar process: EcoCash is used by 80% adults, processing 70% Zim payments. EcoCash Diaspora makes up 20% of Zim’s remittance. Donation process was similar to paying bill or remitting money. Customer just needed to enter biller code or mobile no & donation amount. Simplicity and familiarity of service led to faster adoption
Successful social impact: RTGS$ 239,643 was collected in 30days by EcoCash crowd-funding & used for food-supply & rescue operatins
Secondary Category
Secondary Category Choice: End-user Experience
Why do you think you should win this category?
Emergencies like cyclone require quick response. In addition to govt providing financial support, crowd-funding is also done. People donate in cash, which is time-incentive & requires number of volunteers. Hence donations reach late.
During Cyclone Idai, Zim switched to popular EcoCash mobile money service digitizing, simplifying & accelerating crowd-funding process. Zim people donated instantly via EcoCash by typing a biller code 320041 & donation amount in mobile-phone. Zim Diaspora donated instantly using EcoCash Diaspora service transferring money to EcoCash mobile number +263786321671. Biller code/mobile number were advertised via SMS & social-media. Quick, simple & familiar user experience similar to bill payment & remittance led to quick adoption & within 10 days 22,118 people donated RTGS$ 210,898. Money was immediately employed in search rescue & providing food-supply on time when people need it. Overall RTGS$ 239,643 was collected via EcoCash. Also, people trusted EcoCash for donations as it is popular & widely used.
Team Members
Full Name: Mohit Bhargava
Role: Product Marketing
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohit-bhargava-20188322/
Full Name: Vishal Priyadarshi
Role: Developer
Link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vishal-priyadarshi-48928063/
Full Name: Mohit Dikshit
Role: Project Manager
Link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohit-dikshit-5b68629/
Full Name: Ritvik Sinha
Role: Product Manager
Link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritviksinha/
Supporting Links
Details on EcoCash crowd-funding for Cyclone Idai relief activity: https://www.comviva.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/EcoCash-crowdfunding.pdf
Entry Representative
Full Name: Mohit Bhargava
Role: Product Marketing
