"Afghanistan is a country with extremely low levels of access to banking infrastructure; limited trust in formal institution; and high levels of illiteracy. On the flip-side it has a growing mobile phone eco-system that inclues a growing legion of micro-entrepreneurs. In 2008 Roshan partnered with Vodafone to bring M-Paisa mobile money services to Afghanistan.

What happens to existing money practices when a mobile operator introduces mobile banking services into this environment? How is it used? What innovations does it enable? And ultimately how does it affect the day to day quality of life for those at the base of the pyramid? How do mobile money services work alongside existing formal and informal money practices? What lessons that can be drawn for the design of mobile money services around the world?"
 
To read more, follow Jan's blog as he journeys through Afghanistan.
 
Future Perfect, Jan Chipchase's blog

 

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