Collaborating for Impact: MEST Portfolio Companies Respond to COVID-19

This post was written by MEST’s Head of Marketing, Veronica Mulhall.

Over the last few weeks, MEST Portfolio companies have inspired us with their prompt and innovative solutions to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Some are using existing solutions while others have created projects specifically to help in this time of need. Each is exemplifying what it means to come together and contribute locally and globally.

We have created a living list to showcase these companies and their projects. Want to help? If you are interested in learning more or have a way to contribute to companies’ COVID-19 efforts in any way please reach out to them directly or contact Lundie Strom, MEST’s Head of Community Relations at lundie@meltwater.org.

Healthtech

Nadia (Kenya)
Nadia offers telemedicine consultations via chat, audio, and video to help people social distance and visit the doctor while they stay at home. It’s for non-urgent primary care and for all people with a smartphone or desktop/laptop/tablet.

Their solution flattens the curve by helping people stay home and visit with medical practitioners through chat/audio/video. They have also added a FREE Corona Virus Risk Assessment that helps people asses their risk level so they can take appropriate measures put in place by their respective country.

Logistics

Kweza Technologies (South Africa)
Kweza is a last-mile distribution solution that works in the South African informal retail space. They are giving Spaza shop owners (small convenience stores essential in the township economy) visibility and access to the cheapest available pricing for their inventory sourced at the wholesale level.

People rely on these small convenience stores for the most basic of supplies and it has become increasingly difficult for them now the world is compelled to stay home and contain the spread of the virus. During this pandemic, Kwesa ensures Spazas remain fully stocked up providing the essential service of sourcing and facilitating 24-hour inventory deliveries.

While at it, they are providing sanitizers and information on regulations and compliance to these shop owners and by extension, those who use their services.

FinTech

BezoMoney Technologies Limited (Ghana)
BezoMoney is a saving platform for last-mile users and rural populations.

To help the most vulnerable populations BezoMoney has launched a simple platform to accept donations and procuring supplies (such as foodstuffs) in partnership with Melcom stores. The donations go to help vulnerable savings groups, homeless people, and small businesses that have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 situation.

They are also working with other startups to develop an open-source chatbot set to curb the spread of the virus as part of a Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Ghana (AHK) and UNICEF project.

Messaging Platform

Saada Tech (Kenya)
Saada provides ready-made solutions for sales over WhatsApp and supports business applications for access to the WhatsApp Business API.

They have built a comprehensive data infrastructure to help with interactive dissemination of COVID-19 prevention and mitigation measures through popular channels such as Whatsapp and USSD. Their WhatsApp channel can be accessed through bit.ly/covidke or through +254700712712. Their data warehouse is set-up with approved data from WHO database and they have enriched the information with infographics, and illustrator videos that are more relatable with the public, and now, in order to cover a wider geography, they are working to translate the information into different languages.

They are also implementing a screening tool concept that can be accessed via WhatsApp and USSD to map COVID-19 test cases and classify them according to risk, demystifying high risk, and low-risk areas within the country.

Women’s Health and Beauty

Massira (Ghana) and Adi + Bolga (Ghana)
Massira is a women’s health platform with a social support network and healthcare service aggregator for women and Adi + Bolga has created the BARE platform, a combination of technology and community data collection, to create conversations around the black skin and black skincare.

They have joined forces to created a virtual event series for women to support them with coping and staying healthy during the crisis.