Innovative Community Tablet Brings Digital Literacy to Mozambique

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Jan 10, 2017, 12:00 ET

MAPUTO, Mozambique, Jan. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite the growing number of mobile phone owners with Internet access in urban areas, rural communities have fewer opportunities to connect to the Internet. According to Internet World Stats for Africa 2016, only 9.3% of people across the African continent are Internet users, leaving over 90% of Africa offline. Kamaleon, a Mozambican technology company is making progress toward closing the digital divide in Mozambique with an innovative Community Tablet.

Youth in Mozambique using the Community Tablet.

"A few years ago anyone who could not read and write was considered illiterate, but in today's digital world this concept goes much further, encompassing people who do not know how to use information and communication technologies. Lack of infrastructure and high Internet rates in Africa often restrict access to much-needed health education and counselling platforms. I created the Community Tablet to help solve these problems," says Dayn Amade.

The Community Tablet is a solar powered mobile computer with touch screen displays and virtual keyboards built in on a trailer to provide Internet access to remote areas. It provides the infrastructure needed to offer connectivity and online services to communities, regardless of their location and income or the existent infrastructure. In order to facilitate interaction with the virtual world, Kamaleon also offers digital literacy training to the local workforce and communities they serve.

Launched in November 2016 in Mozambique, the Community Tablet ultimately aims to promote digital inclusion, and a knowledge based society in Africa. Beginning in Mozambique with an astounding 24 million people without Internet connection, the invention will be used to support campaigns that address issues such as HIV, tuberculosis, water sanitation and online education initiatives in partnership with governmental, non-governmental and private organisations.

By promoting access to health information in rural areas, the Community Tablet aims to improve communications among health care institutions, provide support to reordering medications and facilitate data monitoring in rural clinics. Since schools are largely unavailable in remote areas due to lack of connectivity, the Community Tablet can also be used as a local library for the youth and the local community to access online learning opportunities.

"Over 90% of Africa is offline, together we can change that." – Dayn Amade.

The Community Tablet opens opportunities for African nations to use technology to enhance the quality of learning and reduce the digital divide. Kamaleon believes that technology can positively influence social development in Mozambique and has long term plans to expand to other African countries.

About Kamaleon

Launched in 2014, Kamaleon is a technology company based in Mozambique that uses interactive technology for social development. To learn more about the Community Tablet and the company that created it, visit Kamaleon.co.mz.

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